Shooting Our Mouths Off

After more than three decades together, James remain one of Britain’s most enduring and quietly adventurous indie bands. Though forever linked to 1990s anthems such as ‘Sit Down‘ and ‘Laid’, the band’s greatest strength has been their refusal to stand still. La Petite Mort finds them deep into their career yet still pushing forward, balancing emotional depth with some of their most confident songwriting.

Their first full studio album since the 2010 mini-albums The Morning After and The Night Before, La Petite Mort carries considerable emotional weight. Much of it was shaped by frontman Tim Booth’s grief following the deaths of his mother and a close friend, yet this is far from a sombre record. Instead, James transform loss into something life-affirming, finding hope, beauty and even joy amid the sadness.

Opening track ‘Walk Like You’ sets the tone perfectly. Beginning with a delicate piano motif, it gradually builds into a sweeping, rhythm-driven epic. Reflective in its lyrics but uplifting in its execution, the song feels like a declaration of intent from a band with plenty left to say. Lead single ‘Moving On’ follows that theme beautifully. Its bittersweet lyrics are carried by a soaring melody and one of the album’s strongest choruses, turning grief into celebration without diminishing its emotional impact. It’s a song about letting go, but it never feels defeated.

The album’s most immediate moment arrives with ‘Curse Curse’, a punchy, modern pop-rock track driven by electronic flourishes and an infectious hook. Energetic, playful and effortlessly catchy, it shows a band still willing to experiment rather than rely on nostalgia. ‘Frozen Britain’, meanwhile, pairs Larry Gott’s bright guitar work with Tim’s characteristically sharp lyricism. Framed around a metaphorical “kiss of life”, the song explores emotional renewal and reinforces one of the album’s central themes: rebirth after loss.

Elsewhere, James allow themselves quieter moments. ‘Quicken the Dead’ and ‘All In My Mind’ strip things back, revealing a more intimate side to the record and providing a welcome contrast to its larger, more expansive tracks. ‘Bitter Virtue’ brings a touch of cinematic elegance, with its recurring mantras – “accept everything” and “regret nothing” – offering a sense of hard-won perspective. The album closes with ‘All I’m Saying’, a haunting and deeply personal farewell that lingers long after the final note fades. Built around unresolved goodbyes, Tim’s vulnerable vocal performance gives the song a quiet emotional power.

Throughout La Petite Mort, James confront grief without becoming consumed by it. Producer Max Dingel’s polished, spacious production allows the band’s strengths to shine: soaring melodies, dynamic arrangements and an instinctive sense of emotional release. More than just another entry in an already impressive catalogue, La Petite Mort stands among James’ finest work – heartfelt, ambitious and a testament to a band that continue to evolve without losing sight of what makes them special.