Standout South-London R&B artist James Vickery serves up a second impressive new single in “Butter” – out now on Red Bull Records. Originally written by James with the intention of pitching it to other artists, his label soon persuaded him that he had to sing it himself – and the results are stunning.
Exploring the ache of longing for someone just out of reach, “Butter” is a melting blend of keys and captivating rhythms, influenced by the likes of Frank Ocean and 6lack. It navigates the delicate line between fantasy and reality, steeped in sensuality and raw emotion that can be seen through it’s lyrics – “Wishing it wasn’t a fairytale… ‘cos with every hour that passes I’m wishing that I could be yours”
“There was this person at the time I was thinking about a lot – so this song was written about that kind of yearning” James recalls, with a bashful grin.
“Butter” follows James’s recent stunning comeback with first single “Hotel Lobby”, that received praise across the board with support from various radio stations and media branding it “a glorious bossa nova-influenced number“.
James has built an impressive career, from his breakthrough COLORS SHOW—which has garnered nearly 40 million views—to collaborations with the likes of Kojey Radical, Musiq Soulchild, Kenny Beats, EARTHGANG, and SG Lewis. His previous release also saw strong playlist support across Southeast Asia, further solidifying his growing presence in the region. Once driven by a need for acceptance, James has now embraced his truth.
“Butter” arrives as the second offering this year from a larger body of work. His voice, his story, and his passion continue to set him apart, proving that he is an artist with both depth and staying power.
