Today, Sydney’s triple-platinum producer Hayden James announces his forthcoming sophomore album, LIFTED, to be released on April 8 via Future Classic. Accompanying the news, the house-connoisseur shared his first single of 2022, “Hold Tight”.
Listen to “Hold Tight”: https://ffm.to/holdtighthaydenjames
LIFTED was fueled by Hayden’s idea to create an energetic and uplifting collection that would reunite movers and shakers after soldiering through the past few years. Infusing the same emotions felt during his live shows into every moment on the project, Hayden created something that would translate euphorically from headphones to the stage, as lockdowns ease and crowds build once again. The record features special guests Boo Seeka, Jem Cooke, SIDEPIECE and more, plus Hayden’s last single of 2021, “Waiting for Nothing” feat. YAEGER. Exuberating positivity through his lush production, vocal textures and consistently energetic dance cuts, LIFTED is the product of hours of collaboration, emotion, and expanding his enduring legacy in dance music.
Hayden says of the forthcoming record: “LIFTED was born out of the yearning for some light and positivity after a tough last few years for everyone. As I started writing the album, I kept coming back to the idea of creating something energetic and live and super uplifting that could bring people together again. I began working on the album late 2020 and used all the time off I had from touring to make something special because I knew the return to live music would be epic, a major vibe. The result is a huge emotional, energetic dance record, with elements of piano-house, melodic house and a positive tone and feel that can be found across all tracks. When I write an album, everything has a place and a purpose, and it’s all part of the bigger story. I’m so happy with the journey of this album.”
Years in the making, “Hold Tight” emerges as the next powerful single from LIFTED. Opening with uplifting, classic house chords surrounded by a mirage of swelling synths, the emphatic vocals take centre stage throughout an energetic rush of piano stabs and pulsating bass-line grooves. Hayden masters all the elements of the bop through his inspired lyricism, portraying a message of hope and a call out for his fans to get back to what they love doing and hold on to that special someone.
On the track Hayden adds: “This is a big summertime piano house record that took a while to perfect but once it was done I knew it would fit the vibe of the album perfectly. I also really love the meaning of the song, which is about two people who are drifting away at moments but come back to realize what’s important. I like people to figure out songs themselves, I don’t like to go ‘this is what this song is specifically about’, because there’s so many different meanings that people take away, so many different lessons from different songs. But this one, it feels like such a strong call to hang in there, and get back to what you love doing or back to that person you love and just hold tight.”
Since its release in 2019, Hayden James’ ARIA nominated debut album Between Us sits at over half a billion collective streams, and was the the well-awaited gift for his legion of fans after six years of delivering high caliber platinum dance tracks. He’s been remixed by major acts including ODESZA, Dom Dolla, andhim, and LP Giobbi; collaborated with the likes of Icona Pop, Boy Matthews, Gorgon City, Nat Dunn, GRAACE, and Crooked Colours; and remixed for dance music giants RÜFÜS DU SOL, Dillon Francis, Bronson, Duke Dumont and more.
In the live arena, Hayden has enjoyed success touring across the globe hitting major venues including NY’s Webster Hall, LA’s Fonda Theatre, Amsterdam’s Paradiso, as well as lighting up hometown tours and festivals, most recently at Melbourne’s Beyond The City and Sydney’s 2022 Field Day. Hayden will return to the US for a slot at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April, before embarking on his own headline North American tour across May and June.
Providing a much needed breath of fresh air for 2022, revel in the exciting new chapter from one of Australia’s most prolific dance artists, as Hayden hurls full throttle towards his sophomore album this April.
LIFTED is out Friday, April 8 via Future Classic
“Hold Tight” is out now, buy/stream here: https://ffm.to/holdtighthaydenjames
Tickets on sale for LIFTED US tour here: https://haydenjamesmusic.com/#tour
LIFTED LP Tracklist
1. Lights Go Down with SIDEPIECE
2. Hold Tight
3. Fade ft. Flynn
4. On Your Own with Cassian & Elderbrook
5. Waiting For Nothing feat. Yaeger
6. Free feat. Boo Seeka
7. Down On Me feat. Xavier Dunn
8. Lifted feat. Tudor
9. I Won’t Let You Down with Jem Cooke
2022 North American Tour Dates
April 17 – Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Indio, CA
April 24 – Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Indio, CA
May 05 – Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN
May 06 – The Underground, Charlotte, NC
May 07 – Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
May 11 – 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
May 12 – Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn, NY
May 13 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
May 14 – L’Astral, Montreal, QC
May 19 – Velvet Underground, Toronto, ON
May 20 – Majestic Theater, Detroit, MI
May 21 – The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL
May 25 – Emo’s, Austin, TX
May 26 – The Studio at The Factory, Dallas, TX
May 28 – Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO
Jun 01 – Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
Jun 02 – House of Blues, San Diego, CA
Jun 03 – The Novo, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 04 – The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
Jun 09 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
Jun 10 – Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
Jun 11 – Celebrities, Vancouver, BC
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