You is the third studio album by British singer-songwriter James Arthur. Released on 18 October 2019, it spawned the singles "Naked", "Empty Space", "Falling Like the Stars", "Treehouse", "Finally Feel Good", "You", and "Quite Miss Home". Arthur embarked on the You – Up Close and Personal tour in North America from 13 September 2019 to 23 September 2019 and was on the UK You – Up Close and Personal tour until 29 October 2019. The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart.
Contents
Background
Arthur told 1883 Magazine in June 2019 that the album was "pretty much finished" and that it was undergoing mixing and mastering. He described it as "diverse, conceptual, [and] soulful" as well as "inspired by the stories of others" and "definitely not introspective" as compared to his previous album, 2016's Back from the Edge.
Critical reception
Writing for the Star Tribune, Mark Kennedy gave an overall negative review, calling Arthur "buried in sadness [on You]", adding "[t]o borrow a song title from him, if you can get through this album, you can get through anything". Lisa-Marie Ferla of The Arts Desk gave it a mixed review: she awarded it 3 out of 5 stars but said "[p]rune away at least four soporific ballads, though, and you'll find a decent pop-soul album".
Phoebe Luckhurst from The Evening Standard gave a positive review, stating "He demonstrates his range on soulful 'Marine Parade', and the R'n'B-inflected 'If We Can Get Through This We Can Get Through Anything'. He's in intelligent power-ballad form in 'Car's Outside' and 'Quite Miss Home'".
Track listing
Notes
^[c]signifies a co-producer
^[v]signifies a vocal producer
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.
Vocals
James Arthur – vocals, songwriting (all tracks)
Johan Carlsson – backing vocals (16)
Johanna Strömblad Jonasson – backing vocals (16)
Max Martin – backing vocals (16)
Charlie Puth – beatbox (16)
Eg White – backing vocals (4)
Design
Adult Art Club – design
Louis Browne – photography