“I think I’ve always been in my own little world,” Jvck James tells Apple Music. “The majority of the kids were listening to rap or grime, so I always felt like an outcast growing up. And singing was never cool, back in the day, so I would try and hide it to remain as normal as I could.” The East Londoner’s talent is no longer hidden. James first found acclaim during his pre-teen years with throwback covers before losing momentum with a lost record deal. He regained his footing with 2019’s stellar DETOUR, and JOYRIDE two years later. “Sometimes, in the moment, we don’t always understand why we’re not exactly where we need to be,” he says. “But I used that as the fuel to keep me going. I didn’t know where my talent was going to take me, I just knew that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.” Here, James’ fluency in neo-soul and R&B is fused with the gospel leanings of a childhood raised in the church. With this, he reaches for compelling vulnerability: There are tracks that recognise the risk—and romance—of nightclub trysts (“LOVE IN THE CLUB”), experiences of deep intimacy (“GALAXY SWIM”) and the bitterness behind broken ties (“HENNESSY TEARS”). A potent blend of pillowy vocals and heady lyricism, James’ flows veer from anxious to carefree—perfectly partnering with his effervescent R&B and aching soul. “Now I want to make music for that young kid in me,” he says. “To help lift him up.”