James Bellew – Summers Last Embrace (2025)
Returning after a 25-year break from electronic music, producer and songwriter James Bellew reignites his passion for music – a burning ember that never really left his soul – with powerful melodies. Only two melodies to date, Bellew’s Spotify has little to offer; however, the enthusiasm and kaleidoscopic waves of synth-driven music offer a rich warmth, making him seem an old friend instead of a new acquaintance. Join us as we delve into his latest track, ‘Summers Last Embrace’.
Following his debut single, ‘Didn’t See It Coming’, ‘Summers Last Embrace’ is a heady whirl of bold beats and synth-driven sounds, drawing you into a kaleidoscopic sonic hurricane. While you find yourself floating with colourful fairies in the eye of the hurricane, every chord sends another wave of water about in the vortex of sound, hinting at the possibility of crashing down onto your head and pulling you into the dark abyss.
Interestingly, while ‘Summers Last Embrace’ utilises riffs and samples recorded in the 1990s, the gruff vocals and kick of electric guitars bring an alternative rock tint to the track. It’s a line between electronica and rock, not only dragging the sounds of the 90s to our ears, but warped in an evolutionary new take on electronic pop.
Inspired by reality in all its tragedies and triumphs, James Bellew’s music not only weaves the grittiness and raw vulnerability of life with a sense of empowerment and hope, but simultaneously hits those highs and lows with structure beside chaos. Yes, a whirlwind of an electronic pop song, you can lose yourself in the rush of music; however, a sense of intricate organisation makes ‘Summers Last Embrace’ a tempest in a teacup. Strong and mad, but a polished honing of sophisticated arrangements holding everything while still letting you breathe.
“I wanted to encompass summer’s ending, autumn starting, mood changing according to seasons… For this and my upcoming music, I wanted to draw on ideas and inspiration from everyday life, feelings, seasons, and moods.” – James Bellew on ‘Summers Last Embrace’
Find out more about James Bellew on his Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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