Rising R&B star James Vickery has made his triumphant return with “Right Side,” a soulful new single out now via Red Bull Records. Alongside the release, the South London singer-songwriter announced his highly anticipated new studio album, JAMES., arriving September 12—marking his most personal and sonically adventurous project yet.
“Right Side”: A Love Song with a Deeper Meaning
“Right Side” showcases Vickery’s signature velvety vocals over a smooth, groove-driven pop-R&B production. But beneath its infectious melody lies a deeply personal story.
“I love the idea of something being disguised as a love song,” Vickery explains. “This was inspired by the fact that I always have to be on the left side of someone due to my deafness.”
The track arrives with a cinematic music video, directed by Cully Wright, which opens with an audio excerpt simulating how Vickery experiences sound—a poignant nod to his hearing impairment, a result of cholesteatoma, a condition he was diagnosed with at age eight.
Watch the “Right Side” video here: [YouTube]
Stream the single here: [Spotify/Apple Music]
A New Era: JAMES. Album Announcement
Following the success of his recent singles “Butter” and “Hotel Lobby”—which garnered major playlisting across Southeast Asia—Vickery’s upcoming album, JAMES., represents a creative rebirth.
“This is the album I always wanted to make but never knew how to,” he shares. “For the first time, I made music with no restrictions, no pressure to please anyone. You’ll find emotional ballads, funk-driven bangers—everything that makes me, me.”
Produced alongside longtime collaborator JD Reid (Mahalia, Mabel), Larrance Dopson (Kendrick Lamar, Ella Mai), and Grammy-nominated Jonah Christian (Beyoncé, Tems), the album blends classic R&B, ’70s funk, and Y2K pop into a cohesive, genre-defying statement.
Album Highlights and Tracklist
JAMES. features 12 tracks, including previously released fan favorites and exciting new cuts:
- Hotel Lobby
- Butter
- Like That (ft. BIA)
- All In
- Right Side (New Single)
- Miss A Thing
- You & I (Interlude)
- ILU
- Better Days
- Higher (An ’80s-inspired anthem)
- Hanging On
- Fall In Your Arms (A sweeping orchestral ballad)
Standout tracks like “Higher” showcase Vickery’s expansive vocal range over shimmering synths, while “Fall In Your Arms” strips things back to a raw, piano-led plea for connection.
From Struggle to Strength: James Vickery’s Journey
Born deaf in one ear, Vickery nearly lost his voice entirely before a vocal coach helped him rediscover his gift. His 2021 documentary, Louder, chronicled his struggles with identity, acceptance, and self-doubt—themes that permeate his new work.
“I spent years trying to fit in, making music to impress others,” he admits. “Now, I’m creating for myself. This album is the realest version of me.”
With 40M+ views on his COLORS SHOW performance, collaborations with Musiq Soulchild, EarthGang, and SG Lewis, and now a career-defining album on the horizon, James Vickery is stepping into his power—unfiltered, unapologetic, and unstoppable.
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