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British pop singer/songwriter James Arthur maintains consistency on his relatable, ‘matters of the heart’ themed single, “Empty Space.”

“Even when I’m burstin’ into flames / I don’t regret the day I left.” Wow. The songwriting on “Empty Space” is simple, straightforward, and incredibly relatable. On the aforementioned excerpt from the first verse, British pop singer/songwriter James Arthur tries to convince himself that he isn’t regretful about the end of the relationship.  He continues, “I don’t believe that I was blessed / I’m probably lyin’ to myself, again.” On the second verse, he’s clearly more depressed about the situation (aka break up), admitting his mistakes: “I let my ego swallow me / And that’s why I might never see you again.” On the chorus, expectedly and predictably, Arthur looks to ‘her’ as the only one who “Could fill this empty space.”

Obviously, there’s more to “Empty Space” than the songwriting itself.  As always, James Arthur remains a compelling, expressive singer.  He shines the most on the chorus, blending powered vocals and falsetto as well.  Notably, he also showcases more of his expressiveness on the second verse, fitting to the pacing of the record.  The production of the record isn’t groundbreaking, but definitely suitable for Arthur and this particular record.  It’s a good ole pop/rock single, with some urban-infused percussion to keep things fresh.

Final Thoughts 

James Arthur doesn’t necessarily ‘change the game’ with “Empty Space,” but the British pop singer delivers another compelling, well-rounded performance and song.   All in all, everything is sound – vocals, production, and songwriting/theme.  This should definitely fill an “empty space” within your playlist, particularly if you totally ‘Stan’ for Arthur.

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James Arthur • Empty Space – Single • Sony Music Entertainment • Release: 10.26.18

Photo Credit: Sony Music Entertainment