Four years since the release of his number-one album The Awakening, British singer-songwriter James Morrison is back. ‘Demons’ is the first offering from Morrison’s upcoming album Higher Than Here and is a radio-ready, pop-rock track written by Morrison himself along with Jim Eliot and Jemima Stillwell.
The track centres around the negatives voices inside Morrison’s head, with the haunting high-pitched lyric “I got demons” echoing throughout the track. An insight into the despondency that Morrison is feeling is conveyed in desperate lyrics such as “I close my eyes and talk to God / and pray that you can save my soul”, sounding poignant thanks to the raspy, yet soulful tone of Morrison’s instantly recognisable voice. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Morrison. Behind the darkness of his inner thoughts, he reassures us that he is fully in control with lyrics such as “but they’ll never take me down” and “I just need a little time to work ’em out”.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYlsyHVjEO0]
Overall, ‘Demons’ is a plaintive track that impressively carries a glimmer of hope. Backed by a melodic piano and drum beat, ‘Demons’ is a promising lead single and one of Morrison’s most sweet-sounding releases to date.
‘Demons’ is out now and can be purchased from here. ‘Higher Than Here’ is released through Island Records on 30th October and can be pre-ordered from here.
Words by Megan Wilson
@meglouisewilson