On September 13th, Hayden James unveiled his third studio album We Could Be Love via Future Classic, and the project was well worth the anticipation. The album is a cohesive amalgamation of classic house, indie dance, and pop sounds, highlighting James’ craftsmanship as a songwriter and his upbeat inclinations as a DJ.
The album’s atmospheric versatility, along with the ability to collaborate with a variety of artists, that James said made We Could Be Love a joy to produce.
‘We Could Be Love’ was such a fun album to write with so many incredible feature artists. It feels so special to release an album right now and I want to give fans a whole moment with my music…not just a song or two. This album takes me from the beach to the club and back. It’s emotive and powerful and I’m so proud of every record and thankful to everyone involved.
Hayden James
Sonically, the album’s tracklist resides primarily in two worlds – one that showcases a lightness and calculated pacing to the track production, and one that showcases the heavier, more club-friendly side of James’ production.
When considering the lighter, beach ready tracks on the album, look no further than the single “Patience” featuring Karen Harding. The creative chemistry between Harding and James is undeniable, leading to one of the album’s strongest tracks.
Harding’s vocals are given the freedom to shine over James’ production. The beat does not fully drop until the 40-second mark, building an anticipation and tension for the track’s energy to come into fruition. Ultimately, the drop showcases a steady groove that weaves several Harding vocal splices into the beat’s construction. The upbeat, sun-soaked aura of the song makes “Patience” a must-listen.
The title track “We Could Be Love” and “Waves Out” showcase James’ ability to give the track’s instrumentals the space they need to build and expand. On “We Could Be Love,” James builds production on sharp synth hits and a steady bassline that allow the gradual addition of percussive elements to feel more natural. “Waves Out” implements an arpeggiated synth line, creating an interesting dynamic between the synths and the other sonic elements that makes the song feel more spacious than any other track on the album.
In terms of the more club-ready tracks, “The Pleasure” is a clear standout. The track is one of the few on the album without a feature, allowing James’ production prowess to take center stage. With muffled undertones, sharp lazer sounds that cut through the foggy kick drums, and fuzzy synth sweeps that make the bass drops hit like a truck, the track brings a darkness to the album that makes the track undeniably dance floor ready.
Along with the album’s release, James has embarked on the “We Could Be Love Tour” across North America. Make sure you get tickets for the remaining tour dates here!
We Could Be Love is available now wherever you get your music, so go stream it this project that encompasses that sonic depth that James has been developing over the last decade.
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