James Vincent McMorrow – We Move

Written and recorded in Toronto, Dublin and London, the new album by James Vincent McMorrow, We Move, is his crowning touch after his years of self-development and refining his music.

About evolving, changing and moving forward in life, the work’s message is to get up and be strong despite all obstacles. More casual and relaxed than his previous compilations, it is also more raw, exposing McMorrow’s vulnerability. The album is innovative and honest about who he is as an artist and as a person – one who struggled with anorexia and bulimia. Describing it as an expression of unease and social anxiety, it’s not about “people listening to my songs and believing that I’m out in the forest all day long, thinking about trees. Because I’m actually at home, trying to convince myself to go out and get milk”.

Very forthright, the record is a shift from folk to R&B, electronics and heavier base lines. The first track, Rising Water, is one of the best, making a defining statement about the direction of We Move toward achieving major status in music history. A slow-paced synthpop R&B weave with a powerful baseline, unusual animated backbeat with electronic drums, piano and unique falsetto vocals, this highly polished song brings McMorrow’s style to a new level in drama, sparkle and vivacity. Reflecting on his past love, his joy with and his mistreatment thereof – “You make me feel alive in spite of rising waters” – the artist allows full expression of emotion.

Get Low is invigorating with a sublime instrumental intro, sumptuous melody and a moody, ethereal falsetto chorus. I Lie Awake Every Night, about his lifelong battle with an eating disorder, has a distinctly 80s sound with a subtle, moving soul vibe. A gentle ballad, the surreal sounding Seek Another vibrates with power, and Lost Angles is simple and serenely charming.

With a career of constant flux and evolution, McMorrow has reached a zenith with We Move with its quality, joy, expressiveness, and vigorous, eloquent, striking vocals and lyrics. After releasing two successful records, Early in the Morning and Post Tropical – and receiving international acclaim when his cover of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game was picked for the Game of Thrones trailers – We Move is his best work to date, bringing the artist firmly into the mainstream.

Catherine Sedgwick

We Move is released on 2^nd September 2016, for further information or to pre-order the album visit here. 

Watch the video for Rising Water here: