To be perfectly frank, it was with considerable caution that this writer hit play on ‘Beautiful James’, the first new single from Placebo in 5 years. After all, Placebo are one of those bands that can make you feel, and considering everything that’s been going down in the world of late, feeling more may not be a wise idea. That said, let us disavow you of any hestitation now. Sure, Beautiful James will make you feel, but it’s going to make you feel great.
Rather than shy away from the reality of everything society has been through in the past little while, Beautiful James dives head first into it, emerging santified and with a message, above all else, of positivity, not despite of the general malaise,but in defiance of it.
“If the song serves to irritate the squares and the uptight, so gleefully be it.” Brian Molko explains, “But it remains imperative for me that each listener discovers their own personal story within it – I really don’t want to tell you how to feel.”
Discovered through the has of insomnia, Beautiful James represents a new dawn in the world of Placebo, who had to depart from the creative processes that have fulled their output the past 25 years. The song came to life first with the use imagery, and the song name, both evoking an emotional response in the band that allowed them to build the song top down.
After a headspinning 13 million album sales, it’s been tough to not notice the absense of new Placebo over the past five years. Now armed with a bold statement that is Beautiful James, out only advice now is to grab ahold of something, steady yourself and prepare for plenty more opportunities to feel in the coming months, as the band put the final touches on their impending 8th studio album.
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