In his struggle with anxiety and depression, British pop star James Arthur finds solace in songwriting

Album cover

For James Arthur, 2020 was a series of stops and starts: It had him teetering between physical and mental health concerns—all while the COVID-19 pandemic loomed over like a dark cloud.

During the Madrid stop of his European tour in January last year, the British pop star, who had long been dealing with anxiety and depression, suffered a “brutal panic attack” onstage. He had to get off because he felt like he was going to die. The next day, he was rushed to the hospital after having flu-like symptoms. It was gall bladder infection. He needed an emergency surgery.

Upon recovery, James checked himself into a mental health facility in London, where he underwent therapy three to four times a week, started a medication course, and practiced cognitive behavioral therapy.

Two months later, James regained enough strength and stability to resume his tour. He managed to finish his UK dates, which, he said, were some of the best he had done. But then, the pandemic shut the live-music scene down.

It was then that the “The X Factor” Season 9 winner decided to start working on a new album. And the process, James said, had been therapeutic. “Writing music is the best form of therapy. I’m lucky that I have an outlet that allows me to channel the mental health issues I’m going through,” he said in a virtual conference arranged by Sony Music Philippines.

Best way

“It’s always helpful,” added James, the voice behind the hits “Impossible,” “Say You Won’t Let Go,” “Naked” and “Can I Be Him.” “It’s always the best way for me to figure those things out.”

The first song from the pop-R&B singer-songwriter’s upcoming fourth album is titled “Medicine”—“an uplifting ode to self, to relationships, to community and connection, and to the healing and restorative powers of love in times of adversity.” And in many ways, it’s a song that encapsulates not only James’ struggles, but the whole world’s in the past year.

“I wanted to make a song that was positive and uplifting. It was the first one I wrote for the album, and I was trying to play with new sounds. It felt that it was the perfect song to kick off the story of this album… It’s a bit more autobiographical. It’s important for me to be honest with the lyrics and my songwriting,” he said. The 33-year-old artist, who has sold 30 million records, recently signed with Columbia Records. He plans to drop two to three more singles in the coming weeks, before finally releasing the new album—whose title he has yet to reveal—in September or October. “There is a lot of music coming, and I’m excited about them.”

Excerpts from our interview:

Is “Medicine” also your way of helping normalize mental health concerns?

Anything I can do to use my voice and my platform to raise awareness about mental health is important. I feel a responsibility to do that, having been through mental health issues and traumas in my life. And emerging on the other side, I feel it’s my duty to do anything I can to normalize the subject and help anyone who might be suffering.

The song can also be interpreted as something related to the pandemic.

When we wrote the song, I definitely felt like this could be a song that could give people some sort of hope and make them feel good in these times. We wrote the song because we wanted to make something that would encourage people to think about what their medicine is during a dark time… It can be exercise, the people who lift you up or video games—anything that makes you feel better.

What can you say to people who may be feeling down because of our current situation?

I would say that there are things to be hopeful about, that there’s an end in sight. I know it has been a hard time. I always encourage people to speak up. I know it’s a difficult thing to talk about your mental health or your health in general. But the biggest step is to just try and speak because you would be surprised by how many people will be able to relate.

James Arthur

What are the upcoming album’s influences, sound-wise?

The sounds were inspired by the kind of pop-punk, or punk-rock, indie music I grew up listening to… It’s like a mash of trap and rock; a melting pot of sounds. “Medicine” is almost like Blink 182 meets Post Malone, and the production is very much in that world throughout the whole album. It was a lot of fun to make because this is where I came from, playing in rock bands.

And the themes you want to explore?

There were no plans on a specific theme, but it ended up being quite a reflective and personal album, where I talk about everything, from my depression and mental health struggles to the idea of being a father and starting a family. I did a lot of soul-searching for this album.It’s important for me to connect with people. And in order to do that, I have to look inside myself and be introspective. That’s always been the aim for me, to make this the type of music that people can play and make them feel better.

What’s your creative process like in the past year?

Normally, I would go to lots of different studios and work with different people. But recently, I’ve been forced to have a very small team and work from home. And it was the most fun I’ve ever had making an album. I just felt very comfortable and able to open up and be vulnerable with the lyrics and everything I was doing… I had more control. The type of music that I have been able to make from home has been to me the most cohesive, coherent, personal. It’s the most creative I’ve ever been, so yeah, it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.

What do you miss most about doing live shows?

It was how it was for everyone… But I needed a break, so I was quite happy not to be touring and traveling for a minute. But I’m now ready to perform again, to get back onstage and travel the world. That’s what I miss most—to go anywhere in the world and sing for people.

What are your memories of Manila from your visit here in 2019?

The people, the crowds … they seemed very passionate. They love music and singing, and they came out and showed huge support. We performed at shopping malls, and there were lots of people who came. It was just a really good vibe.

How did you stay productive?

I had lots to focus on in terms of the music. But I also got interested in hiking and running. I did a lot of fitness-related things consistently, which I wasn’t able to do prepandemic, just because of how busy I was and how much I had traveled. Focusing on my physical health and exercising more made a difference on my mental health, too.

What do you feel when you look back on your time on “X Factor”? What has changed?

It has been nearly 10 years since I won “The X Factor” now so I feel like I have come a long way. I’m very grateful to still be here. People are still listening to my music. I feel very lucky, considering that not a lot of talent show winners manage to sustain long careers.

I’m proud of the hard work and energy I have put into my craft, because that’s the reason I’m still here. But yeah, it’s interesting how, in some countries, people don’t even know that I won the “X Factor.” They just know my songs. That’s a huge compliment to me.

What’s your take on popularity?

It’s an ongoing process I’m learning to navigate. It never felt normal, and it’s never going to be. It’s always going to be a strange thing to walk down the street and have people recognize you. It’s something I won’t enjoy in some days and in some days, you know I’m going to feel very grateful and blessed for.