Despite some similarities with earlier releases, James are no parody of their former selves. Instead, they have evolved into a more mature version. With the addition of Alper’s voice, there is a sustained feeling of being offered something new. As a result, ‘Yummy’ is without doubt the best album James have released since they reformed.
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“Yummy” is an album that is perfect for all James fans, whether they’ve been around since the beginning or are only just finding their music now. The group provide opportunities to reflect with raw, observational anecdotes that can settle any uneasiness in a wide spectrum of scenarios and subjects. Merging many musical influences and styles gives the album a unique feel, yet still the same storytelling and picture painting principles that make James who they are.
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For a band who’ve been going for over 40 years, James have certainly aged gracefully, and there’s no enduring sign here that they’ll ever slow down. Sparse attempts at experimentation may be less innovative than they’d hoped, but it can’t be denied that the Manchester pioneers shine when sticking to what they know best. Within tracks on Yummy, James effectively develop their longevity, signature sound, and style. The results are quite delicious indeed.
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There is no disguising the messages and warnings within this collection of songs, but it feels uplifting and brave, careful and deliberate and although the subject matter has touched all of us the foot tapping I still experienced when listening to these songs gave me hope and a wry smile I’m still wearing.
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Booth’s continued evolution as a vocalist is a key to James’ fiercely relevant songs, and their many lyrical takeaways. He is an honest songwriter – perhaps too much at times – but manages to express what a lot of his listeners feel whether they too are 63 or 36. By addressing personal struggles head on he can help raise the listener high with each affirmative chorus. With these many successes Yummy adds itself to the James canon as an album both for fans and newcomers, a triumph over prejudice and anxiety. Everyone is welcome here.
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Refusing to comply and always treading their own path, James has delivered an album to be proud of. Never standing still and always evolving, this is James at their very best.
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With love engendered at the album’s core, Yummy then sets out to help us endure, often appreciate, life’s many dilemmas. Life’s A Fucking Miracle, which Tim considers “one of the most joyful songs we’ve written in years, it could be a queer dance anthem” argues that the most mundane fishbowl existence should be seized and celebrated; and Better With You, a celestial disco tune and apocalypse romance, suggests that even global Armageddon and the subsequent post-human regeneration of the planet would be beautiful to behold with the right person and a good view.
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‘Yummy’ is an album which deals with several serious issues and is cheerful and musically uplifting at the same time. The lyrics are typical 2024 subjects which we can all relate to, but needs to be addressed by Tim Booth every now and then.
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With every release James showcase their innate ability to stir something heartening even when surrounded by darkness. Fans of the band are blessed by their current form and ‘Yummy’ is a delightful addition to their stunning back catalogue.
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So, James – same as they ever were, only better. Ageing beautifully, lyrically superior, tonally rich.
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All in all, this is a great record, one of the better in what has recently been a series of outstanding new music from James. Many of their contemporaries stopped trying years ago, James just get better and better!
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Brimming over with soaring melodies and toe-tapping rhythms, Yummy is like a poppier OK Computer.
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