Great Deceiver, by James Walker

Great Deceiver

by James Walker

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squillbob7 stunning.. james is a great songwriter and kind human. thank you for the music <3

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My latest album, Great Deceiver, available to pre-order on limited-edition, clear vinyl.
Limited to 300 copies, all of which will be delivered with a lyric sheet and a handwritten note of thanks.

I am so excited to be bringing these songs into the world, and for the first time having my music printed onto vinyl.

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My first album in three years, available to pre-order on CD now.

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James Walker returns after three years with an evocative, spacious, and ethereal alt-pop record entitled Great Deceiver.

In winter 2017, James released his introspective and affecting debut, English Bones, which (to James’ surprise) went on to receive stellar reviews in The Huffington Post, Overblown Magazine and Punktastic, over 10,000,000 global streams, as well as international radio play on BBC, 3FM, WRAL and more.

There was some pressure, then, for James to return with something special, and on Great Deceiver he hopes to introduce you to a more developed, polished, and mature version of himself and his sound. The album is a “reflection on what it is to be in a relationship with longing, on dealing with issues of attachment and entanglement, on queerness and overcoming shame, on coping with loss and grief, and on finding strength within our faults.”

In his own words, James has “lived many lives in the years that have passed between [English Bones] and now. I’ve moved from my parents house to Austria twice over, I’ve fallen loudly in and out of love, I’ve wrestled with the idea of who I am and my place in the world, fully recovered from open-hear surgery and questioned mortality, I’ve lost some very close family members, and I’ve played hundreds of shows in a dozen countries. It’s been a very intense period of work, and whilst I’ve been very close to burnt-out, I am incredibly grateful to have been afforded these opportunities.”

Walker began writing Great Deceiver in 2017, and funded the initial tracking of the record with a Kickstarter project back in January 2019. James co-created the record with Sam Winfield at Studio 91 (Amber Run, BMTH, Fickle Friends).

An important step in making this record was co-writing with other artists. James was luckily enough to have written with Richard Walters (who has previously written for Declan J Donovan and 3LAU, as well as having his own music featured in Grey’s Anatomy and CSI), Judy Blank (who is James’ very close friend, and fast rising artist from The Netherlands, who has previously collaborated with Mandolin Orange, The Wood Brothers and Fences), Youri Lentjes, Josephine Zwaan, Matt Phillips, and The Brazen Youth.

Within Great Deceiver are traditional tales of heartbreak (The Conversation - ‘If we’re being honest/Were we fractured from the start?/You gave me what I wanted/While I loved you with half a heart’), sharing a hotel room with someone who just might kill you (Albion - ‘In your company I feel uneasy/With your cold shoulder, fever dreaming…/Like I would wake up murdered/Well, I wouldn’t wake up really.’), to reclaiming a sense of self after a toxic relationship (Chasing - ‘My telephone is ringing, but I ain’t picking up/You told me to wait for you, but when you dropped me you lost my love/Now you’re trying twice as hard, regretting what you’ve done/But when the best you can give ain’t nothing but a front/I guess it’s time to run.’)

James aims to present a multifaceted and expansive record that brings the listener on an emotional journey with him. Whilst these songs are personal in nature, he hopes that there is a relatability in his storytelling that allows you to take these songs with you into your life.

James Walker’s Great Deceiver is out November 20th via Kobalt/AWAL, Maximal Music Sync, Music Table Korea, Wild Native and Round Hill Music. James will be touring extensively in 2021, should the world allow him to, and is currently in the studio working on his next releases.

Includes unlimited streaming of Great Deceiver via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. ... more

ships out within 7 days

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Full Digital Discography

25

releases

Get all 25 James Walker releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of I Haven't Really Laughed Like That In Months Now, field of vision, boy / blue, Ethanol, Just Love, Power (You Ain't Got None), Somewhere Between, Voyant, and 17 more. , and , .

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1.	The Conversation 03:29	lyrics	buy track
Verse 1] Where do we begin When there’s so much unsaid? Why do stories end? Can’t we just keep re-reading? [Pre-Chorus] I think we need to have the conversation We’ve been putting off too long I think we need to have the conversation I’ve been holding on too strong [Chorus] If we’re being honest Were we fractured from the start? You gave me what I wanted While I loved you with half a heart It’s killing you, and killing me That this is less than we dreamed it be Are you hearing this? Are you hearing me? Now I’m cutting through the make-believe [Verse 2] No time to make amends You know we can’t pretend I’ve learned my lessons I’m lost in the same routine Caught in familiar patterns [Pre-Chorus] I think we need to have the conversation We’ve been putting off too long I think we need to have the conversation I’ve been holding on too strong [Chorus] If we’re being honest Were we fractured from the start? You gave me what I wanted While I loved you with half a heart It’s killing you, and killing me That this is less than we dreamed it be Are you hearing this? Are you hearing me? Now I’m cutting through the make-believe Now I’m cutting through the make-believe Oh ‘cause this is Killing this, and killing me That this is less than we dreamed it be Are you hearing this? Are you hearing me? Now I’m cutting through the make believe
2.	Violent Bets 02:57	lyrics	buy track
Better off this time On the surface Baby’s got a heavy mind And a phone for burning Do you really feel these things? Feel the weight your bearing? Will the mystery end Before beginning? Prise inside my mind Tell me what you see Because I’ve been dying to find What’s inside of me Are we in a fever dream I think I’m falling inwards ‘cause where the river ends You can’t conceal it Oh you were saccharine Great Creeks of crystal But look ahead and see You won’t hold the distance to Prise inside my mind Tell me what you see Because I’ve been dying to find What’s inside of me These violent bets are so revealing But when the fever ends, love, I’ll still be listening credits
3.	Sane 03:01	lyrics	buy track
[Verse 1] Running from this world Trying not to scream so loud Can you hear the sirens Are they calling for you now? Wish I could Take it all back I would Forgive myself honey if only I could But every day I’m rotting From the inside out [Chorus] I can’t let it break me I can’t let it break me I can’t let it break me Have I let it break me? [Verse 2] Writing down the words Just to never sing them out How could I expect Understanding from a crowd Of strangers sitting in their strange clothes I wish that I was somewhere else alone But when I’m there it’s torture My mind is breaking me down [Chorus 2] But I can’t let it break me I can’t let it break me I can’t let it break me Have I let it break me? [Outro] Get me out of my brain I need to feel sane again
4.	Albion 04:03	lyrics	buy track
Spitting blood in a hotel bathroom What a way to spend a weekend In your company I feel uneasy With your cold shoulder; fever dreaming In your company, I feel uneasy Like I would wake up murdered Well I wouldn’t wake up really, But I think you know what I mean You’re fucked up and I’m lonely We’re fucked up, I’m fucked up You held me close as though I cared You held me close like I was there But I ain’t even thinking of you Trembling hands scratch my back I know you’re trying your best babe But really you’re just making me laugh Is it wrong I don’t mind That I’m wasting your precious time Is it something I should fight? This feeling of emptiness inside I’ve been waiting for something more than you for years now. I ain’t even thinking of you I don’t even want to
5.	Chasing 03:48	lyrics	buy track
[Verse 1] Take my soul and run Your white lies are adding up Fake your faith, your trust Leave when it gets heavy [Verse 2] Memories behind my eyes They visit me every night But now you’re outta mind, outta sight Why am I still so empty? [Pre-Chorus] (So now my) Telephone is ringing but I ain’t picking up You told me to wait for you But when you dropped me you lost my love So now you’re trying twice as hard But it ain’t half enough 'cause when the best you can give ain’t nothin but a front Then I guess it’s time to run [Hook] But don’t come chasing for me Don’t come chasing for me now Yeah, don't come chasing for me Don't come chasing for me now [Verse 3] Rinse me for my love Fuck me for every drop Bury me in the mud But it's where you belong Where you belong Where belong [Pre-Chorus] (I hear my) Telephone ringing but I ain’t picking up You told me to wait for you But when you dropped me you lost my love And now you’re trying twice as hard Regretting what you've done But when the best you can give ain’t nothin but a front Then I guess it’s time to run [Hook] So don’t come chasing for me Don’t come chasing for me now Yeah, don't come chasing for me Don't come chasing for me now
6.	Deathdream 04:02	lyrics	buy track
I had a dream last night that you died When I woke up I couldn’t seem to shake it from my mind Sunset in your sky Sunrise in mine Will this river ever run dry? How quick the time goes by How quick our lives entwined Im not just a dream I’m not just bad luck Have you ever been a passenger inside your own head? Watching your life like it’s being Played by someone else? How quick my life went by Barely a child now 25 I’ve heard it speeds up The more you stay alive So tell me real slow That you’ll stay mine
7.	Expo 03:05	lyrics	buy track
“Living is a problem, because everybody dies” The leaves always fall Just give them the right time When the snow had fell in London It came in with the wind I was thinking of a way to never see that place again But if you’re lost out by the expo I’ll meet you where you said you swore that you loved me, sentimental, lovely, “needed nothing more”, than to wake up on my floor and look into my eyes you said “what could be a better way to die?” if you ever needed shelter I could’ve been your hiding place but i’m out of goddamn patience you’re eighteen months too late For the road will only take you ’til you really need to crawl, i’ve been surfing on these kneecaps For a year or maybe more But I hear you’re happy now, aren’t you? You’re in love and oh so free I hope you know that I’m still nervous; can’t stop the shaking of the leaves But while you’re sleeping on his chest I hope you’ll Smile and think of me And how I still wish I’d got you right i guess i’ll have to find a better way to die than with you Than with you Than by your side
8.	Reoccurrence 03:39	lyrics	buy track
[Intro] From the back of a car... [Verse 1] One day, you'll be woken by the moonlight It’ll be kissing your pale eyes And from the back of a car In the middle of a cold night You'll feel my arms gripping you tight [Chorus] If we were to reoccur Where would we begin? Cherry tree in the dirt And I'm gone with the wind [Refrain] I’m gone, I'm gone, I'm gone [Verse 2] Ram's horns, a ruminating sunrise I'm wasting so much of my time Wondering how you'll spend the little days in your life Now they're no longer a part of mine No longer a part of mine [Chorus 2] If we were to reoccur Would it be worth it in the end? 'Cause when you’re rooted in the earth New life can begin New life [Refrain] I’m gone, I'm gone, I’m gone
9.	Wild World 03:24	lyrics	buy track
[Verse 1: James Walker] Pull me closer, cut me off You’re playing Jesus, but where’s your cross? You’ll take me for granted But you won’t chain me to your door [Hook] I’ve seen the wild world honey But you ain’t seen nothing more [Verse 2: Judy Blank] I planted flowers inside your chest that grew to gardens and took your breath, Now bear this burden You know I’ve been alone before [Hook] I’ve seen the wild world honey But I ain’t keeping score [Chorus: James Walker & Judy Blank] You got me lost In the wildest fields Got ahold of my heart Told me how to feel You longed for a heart-shaped String of green But all I could give you was Thistles & weeds [Hook] I’ve seen wild world honey It’s right in front of me [Verse 3: James Walker] So uproot the roses Untether ties Unlock my handcuffs Unfreeze my mind You’ve been using my kindness And you refuse look inside [Hook] I’ve seen the wild world honey But you can’t open your eyes (You got me lost in the wildest fields) To see the wild world honey It’s no big surprise (You got me lost in the wildest fields) I’ve seen the wild world honey It’s not by your side
10.	The Great Deceiver 04:17	lyrics	buy track
All this moving around Sure ain’t good for your health Driving sunrise to sundown Does it ever feel like you’re running from yourself? Now we're eating up the miles But Lord, who are we trying to fool? Don't it ever feel like you might not ever be who you had set out to? But baby I’m the great deceiver Big blue eyes in the mirror Gotta get on and keep hacking through these days Maybe I will be forgiven For all the mess I'm making But my head just keeps on spinning Through the haze Of all these nights With all these wishes you make, Can they buy you something true? Because your friendships are fake There’s no-one who would date A man who’s never there for you So chew me up and spit me out Build me up to tear me down I guess I'll get what I deserve But being here, it just won’t fix All the things I know I've missed And sure as hell won’t feel like home Baby I’m in the great deceiver Big blue eyes in the mirror Gotta get on, and keep booking in these shows Maybe I will be forgiven For all the shit I’m saying But my head just keeps on spinning From all the promises I’m breaking And from the rent I just can’t make and I swear I’ve made a mistake and I swear I can’t keep living this way Hell I swear I just can't live this way credits

about

James Walker returns after three years with an evocative, spacious, and ethereal alt-pop record entitled Great Deceiver.

In winter 2017, James released his introspective and affecting debut, English Bones, which (to James’ surprise) went on to receive stellar reviews in The Huffington Post, Overblown Magazine and Punktastic, over 10,000,000 global streams, as well as international radio play on BBC, 3FM, WRAL and more.

There was some pressure, then, for James to return with something special, and on Great Deceiver he hopes to introduce you to a more developed, polished, and mature version of himself and his sound. The album is a “reflection on what it is to be in a relationship with longing, on dealing with issues of attachment and entanglement, on queerness and overcoming shame, on coping with loss and grief, and on finding strength within our faults.”

In his own words, James has “lived many lives in the years that have passed between [English Bones] and now. I’ve moved from my parents house to Austria twice over, I’ve fallen loudly in and out of love, I’ve wrestled with the idea of who I am and my place in the world, fully recovered from open-hear surgery and questioned mortality, I’ve lost some very close family members, and I’ve played hundreds of shows in a dozen countries. It’s been a very intense period of work, and whilst I’ve been very close to burnt-out, I am incredibly grateful to have been afforded these opportunities.”

Walker began writing Great Deceiver in 2017, and funded the initial tracking of the record with a Kickstarter project back in January 2019. James co-created the record with Sam Winfield at Studio 91 (Amber Run, BMTH, Fickle Friends).

An important step in making this record was co-writing with other artists. James was luckily enough to have written with Richard Walters (who has previously written for Declan J Donovan and 3LAU, as well as having his own music featured in Grey’s Anatomy and CSI), Judy Blank (who is James’ very close friend, and fast rising artist from The Netherlands, who has previously collaborated with Mandolin Orange, The Wood Brothers and Fences), Youri Lentjes, Josephine Zwaan, Matt Phillips, and The Brazen Youth.

Within Great Deceiver are traditional tales of heartbreak (The Conversation - ‘If we’re being honest/Were we fractured from the start?/You gave me what I wanted/While I loved you with half a heart’), sharing a hotel room with someone who just might kill you (Albion - ‘In your company I feel uneasy/With your cold shoulder, fever dreaming…/Like I would wake up murdered/Well, I wouldn’t wake up really.’), to reclaiming a sense of self after a toxic relationship (Chasing - ‘My telephone is ringing, but I ain’t picking up/You told me to wait for you, but when you dropped me you lost my love/Now you’re trying twice as hard, regretting what you’ve done/But when the best you can give ain’t nothing but a front/I guess it’s time to run.’)

James aims to present a multifaceted and expansive record that brings the listener on an emotional journey with him. Whilst these songs are personal in nature, he hopes that there is a relatability in his storytelling that allows you to take these songs with you into your life.

James Walker’s Great Deceiver is out November 20th via Kobalt/AWAL, Maximal Music Sync, Music Table Korea, Wild Native and Round Hill Music. James will be touring extensively in 2021, should the world allow him to, and is currently in the studio working on his next releases.

credits

released November 20, 2020

Written and performed by James David Walker
The Conversation was written with Richard Stephen Walters
Wild World was written with Judy Blank
Violent Bets was written with Matt Phillips
Albion was written with Youri Lentjes

Backing vocals by Judy Blank
Recorded at Studio 91, produced by Sam Winfield, engineered by Tom Millar
Drums and bass performed by Giles Stelfox

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about

James Walker UK

"James Walker is one of the rarest types of songwriters. His music is intelligent, introspective, and yet melodious and infectious." - Overblown Magazine

"Stunningly lovely" - The Huffington Post
 
New singles Sane and Chasing are out now via Kobalt/AWAL, Maximal Music Sync and Music Table South Korea. ... more

shows

Jul 12

Park Farm, Compton Verney

Warwickshire, UK

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