THE PAUL JAMES PROJECT: BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE
By Loaded Magazine
If 2025 needed a soundtrack, chances are it would come from The Paul James Project. This autumn, the London-born singer-songwriter is set for a breakthrough that feels not just earned, but fated. With two acclaimed singles already lighting the way, Paul James is preparing to launch his debut album, Book of Memories, with a headline release night at Camden Assembly on October 8th.
“It’s going to be a very special night, I can't wait,” James says, fresh from a trip to the legendary Abbey Road Studios where the album is currently being cut to vinyl. “We truly hope the album receives the recognition it deserves—many in the industry have already said it's filled with incredible tracks.”
Paul’s optimism isn't unfounded. Book of Memories is already gaining attention from industry veterans and tastemakers alike. Coldplay's Will Champion is a vocal supporter, and those who’ve previewed the record are calling it “raw”, “emotive”, and “genuinely unforgettable”. But what makes Paul James stand out in a sea of aspiring musicians isn’t just his music. It’s his story.
Born and raised in a working-class family in Hampstead, Paul James, now a successful businessman, left school at just 14. A gifted athlete, he pursued a path in sport—first as a youth footballer for Watford FC, then as an international hurdler. Music wasn’t even on the radar.
That all changed 10 years ago, when a collapsed lung sent James into intensive care. “I had woken up from the operation in such pain. I had tears streaming down my eyes,” he recalls. “My body went into shock, and my heart shut down – the lights went out.”
He describes seeing “grey figures” while drifting in and out of consciousness. “I’m not religious. But I can’t explain it. It was like a kind of reset on my life.”
After emergency surgery and months of recovery, he picked up a guitar for the first time. What followed was nothing short of transformative. “I had to retrain my breathing for singing, that’s been a bit of a task,” he laughs. “But I have a sporting background and I would compare jamming to when you play five-a-side with the guys – it’s the same, getting together and having a buzz. I'm all about people and having great energy around me. ”
Although James came late to the party, he is proof that second acts can be even more powerful than the first. His debut album, Book of Memories, is a deeply personal journey through grief, love, healing, and the indomitable human spirit.
The single A Matter of Time sets the tone—an upbeat, catchy track that tackles the inevitability of mistakes and the healing power of time. It’s already a crowd favourite. “It’s a very catchy track which is great live,” says James.
But it’s Speak To Me In Silence that showcases his emotional depth. Produced by Grammy-nominated Chris Potter—whose credits include The Rolling Stones and The Verve—the song channels grief and growth in equal measure. Inspired by the loss of his father, it draws comparisons to Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi. It’s intimate, vulnerable, and powerful.
Then there’s Beautiful You Are—the heartstring-puller of the album. Written about the pain of losing a partner and the enduring power of love, it may well be the track that cements James in the mainstream. “The song carries a message of comfort,” he says. “Although they are leaving, their love will remain forever in the other’s heart. At its core, it’s a wish for their partner to find happiness and continue forward with life.”
The track is expected to be his breakthrough, and with the kind of universal emotion it taps into, it’s hard to imagine it won’t be.
Though he’s a relative newcomer to the music world, Paul James is no stranger to hard graft. He’s already co-written two tracks with Billy Lawrie—brother of Lulu and renowned songwriter to the likes of Tina Turner and Belinda Carlisle. His previous single Too Late For Love has amassed over 100,000 YouTube views, gaining traction with audiences who are drawn to James’s authentic, lived-in lyrics and stirring vocal delivery.
Earlier this year, he played to a packed house at the iconic 100 Club in London. “That night was special,” he says. “To see so many people connecting with the songs—it's what every artist hopes for.”
With a live show set for October 8th at Camden Assembly, The Paul James Project feels like it's on the cusp of something big. For a man who once faced death in a hospital bed, this isn’t just a comeback—it’s a debut born of survival, passion, and purpose.
Whether it’s the anthemic hope of A Matter of Time, the aching soul of Speak To Me In Silence, or the universal comfort in Beautiful You Are, Paul James is writing not just songs, but stories we can all relate to.
“I had a kind of epiphany,” he says. “Since then, everything I do—every lyric, every performance—it’s from the heart. That’s all I’ve got to give.”
It turns out that’s more than enough.
Book of Memories is out October 8th. Tickets for the album launch at Camden Assembly are on sale now