British singer-songwriter James Ellis Ford spent part of last year receiving treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia. As a fellow patient of St Bart’s Hospital, it is one of the most welcoming and positive medical facilities I’ve had the misfortune of using. During his time receiving chemotherapy, James worked on creating music as a way to lift his spirits and process the ordeal of his medical diagnosis and journey. Quickly, an album’s worth of material was written, which Ford likens to a Polaroid of a surreal chapter of his life.
That album is titled ‘Lost In Another World’, and it’s due for release on 14th August. ‘Overtones’ is the lead single, acting like a comfort blanket of reassurance and mental coaching. The song reminds me of 80s electronic pop due to its eclectic use of instruments and synths. James uses wooden marimba-styled blocks to set a constant trickle of notes that meander around, whilst bassy synth-growls pulse over retro drum kits. There’s a hint of Peter Gabriel, but the overarching tone is more searching, elusive, and hypnotic. The song also carries a cinematic orchestral quality to the percussion and sound structure, too. It’s a clever single and one that has me excited for the forthcoming album.
Whilst I don’t subscribe to the idea that art must come from pain or a difficult place, some great art can be born from adversity. James Ellis Ford sounds like music helped save him from sinking into a tricky place during treatment, and it could be a great lifeline for others experiencing prolonged medical treatment, too.
‘Overtones’ is out now. ‘Lost in Another World’ is available to pre-order. For more information about the album, release shows, and the other musical collaborations and projects James Ellis Ford is stuck into, visit James Ellis Ford’s website.
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