Setting the tone with an intricate drum riff, celestial frequencies and an upbeat blues-infused melody, James Stephen opens his single, Stronger With You, with the charming lyrics, “It’s been a long long day, the same old going on, it feels like nothing’s gonna go my way, then you came along…”
The song expands with luscious harmonies and a passionate vocal delivery from our protagonist to unveil an anthem to “celebrate having somebody in your corner”. Elaborating on the intention of the track, James says that this “somebody” could be “an individual, group, lover, family member, anybody, love doesn’t discriminate and drawing strength from such love is one of the most powerful things we can do.”
We love the James Stephen‘s emotive delivery of the hook, “I’m stronger, stronger with you…”, as he navigates a tapestry of blues-infused-Americana and an unashamed passion for his northern hometown of Stockport.
James cites The Bros. Landreth, David Ryan Harris, John Mayer, Michael Jackson and Paul Simon as some of his influences, saying that “they are really just a collective drop in the ocean”, as it is clear that he is creating a universe and soundscape of his own.
He elaborates, “The luxury I enjoy, falling under the Americana bracket, is being able to draw on the wide range of influences I have from all genres to craft my own take on Americana. Stronger With You delves into a sound inspired by such bands as Maze and Earth, Wind & Fire, constructed in a way reminiscent of Lake Street Dive but with a refreshingly unique and liberal take.”
We love the vibrant authenticity that James Stephen creates with and the perspective he shares on his creative intention as he says, “The ethos for this song, and the wider EP, is the exact same as every other track or EP; music made to satisfy my own view of the world for others to adopt if they so desire. Not everybody sits and interprets the world through music, and it’s so important, as artists, that we provide the soundtrack for the interpretation they share.”
We have added Stronger With You to our New Music Spotlight playlist and continue streaming James’ wider discography including Washed Away and Until You, whilst we wait for the new EP to come out!