On Friday 8 April, triple-platinum Sydney-born producer Hayden James releases his sophomore album into the world, ‘LIFTED’, out via Future Classic.
Infusing the same emotion of his celebrated live shows into every moment on the project, Hayden’s euphoric masterpiece arrives at a moment when fans need it the most.
‘LIFTED’ was fuelled by Hayden’s desire to create an energetic and uplifting collection that could help bring people together, and deliver a slice of joy to his fans after much time spent apart over the past few years. The record enlists a slew of special guests including Elderbrook, Boo Seeka, Jem Cooke, SIDEPIECE, Yaeger and Cassian, as Hayden expends rippling energy via lush production, vocal textures and consistently addictive dance cuts.
Released just ahead of his debut appearance at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, ‘LIFTED’ is an expansion of Hayden’s enduring legacy in dance music and promises to be his most heartfelt and authentic work to date.
About the record, Hayden says: “LIFTED was born out of the yearning for some light and positivity after a tough last few years for everyone. As I started writing the album, I kept coming back to the idea of creating something energetic and live and super uplifting that could bring people together again. I began working on the album late 2020 and used all the time off I had from touring to make something special because I knew the return to live music would be epic, a major vibe. The result is a huge emotional, energetic dance record, with elements of piano-house, melodic house and a positive tone and feel that can be found across all tracks. When I write an album, everything has a place and a purpose, and it’s all part of the bigger story. I’m so happy with the journey of this album.”
The record features Hayden’s latest single “Lights Go Down” with US dance duo SIDEPIECE. A slice of carefree dance-pop bliss born from a writing session in LA, the track’s unshakable groove and infectious hook form the blueprint for ‘LIFTED’’s effervescent poolside energy. Having previously collaborated with Diplo on the GRAMMY-nominated hit “On My Mind”, rising electronic music stars SIDEPIECE storm the track from all sides with their signature deep-house style, solidifying a memorable opening moment.
“Hold Tight” enters an uplifting house record with classic piano chords and emphatic vocals as Hayden portrays a message of hope for fans to get back to what they love doing, while holding on to that special someone. Next up, “Fade” featuring Flynn is a deep house cut with a Hayden-centric hook that lingers long after the end of play, before the anthemic energy of “On Your Own” hits. Seeing the lyrics and the melody overflow with emotion, ‘LIFTED’’s ethos shines, while synth swells and a jacked-up bass-line transports you right into the heart of clubland.
The record’s first single, “Waiting For Nothing” featuring Yaeger interweaves rising synths through the pulse-racing house beat as Hayden invites the Swedish-born singer’s effortless vocals throughout. “Free” featuring Boo Seeka presents itself as a building house beast, the deeply emotive and smoky vocals becoming etched within the synth risers and grooves in a euphoric moment. Next, “Down On Me” with fellow Australian Xavier Dunn bounces and ripples as a contemplative dance track, steady in its beat as a sense of positivity exhuming.
“Lifted” featuring Tudor arrives as a 90s era house track, its melodic and introspective energy propelling up and down, while its consistent rhythm prompts deep concentration. The Final track of the album, “I Won’t Let You Down” featuring Jem Cooke builds up from a smoky transition of slowly arpeggiating and repeating synths. The swan song of the record is Hayden’s deepest emotional moment, tying the threads of his feelings into one as an ode to a dear friend’s passing. A strongly connecting track that bookends the album, in the same way it began, representing the record’s wholly engrossing and intuitive energy.
To celebrate the release of ‘LIFTED’, Hayden James will tour North America following a double weekender at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where fans can experience the record as it was intended across immersive live stages. Playing in some of the biggest venues of his illustrious career to date, the tour promises a spectacular return to live music for Hayden as he promises high production, arena-worthy moments for fans to remember.
Since breaking out in 2013 with “Permission to Love,” and going on to release revered platinum certified hits “Numb” feat. GRAACE, and “Just Friends,” the producer has continued to be at the forefront of the house music scene.
Carrying on his run of hits with his ARIA-nominated debut album Between Us in 2019, Hayden is now approaching one billion streams in his career. His production mastery on tracks like “Waves of Gold,” feat. Azteck as well as “Right Time” with Icona Pop has also landed in the international spotlight, receiving love from Zane Lowe on Beats 1, triple j, as well as Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NME and many more.
In the live arena, Hayden has enjoyed success touring across the globe, hitting major venues including NY’s Webster Hall, LA’s Fonda Theatre, Amsterdam’s Paradiso, as well as lighting up national tours and festivals, most recently at Las Vegas’ Art of the Wild, Melbourne’s Beyond The City and Sydney’s 2022 Field Day.
Slated to be one of house music’s most poignant records to arrive in 2022, embrace Hayden James’ masterful LIFTED in your headphones today before securing your spot at one of the world’s biggest and best venues to experience it live.
LIFTED is out Friday, April 8 via Future Classic
Tickets on sale for LIFTED US tour here.
LIFTED LP Tracklist
1. Lights Go Down with SIDEPIECE
2. Hold Tight
3. Fade ft. Flynn
4. On Your Own with Cassian & Elderbrook
5. Waiting For Nothing feat. Yaeger
6. Free feat. Boo Seeka
7. Down On Me feat. Xavier Dunn
8. Lifted feat. Tudor
9. I Won’t Let You Down with Jem Cooke
2022 North American Tour Dates
April 17 – Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Indio, CA
April 24 – Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Indio, CA
May 05 – Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN
May 06 – The Underground, Charlotte, NC
May 07 – Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
May 11 – 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
May 12 – Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn, NY
May 13 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
May 14 – L’Astral, Montreal, QC
May 19 – Velvet Underground, Toronto, ON
May 20 – Majestic Theater, Detroit, MI
May 21 – The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL
May 25 – Emo’s, Austin, TX
May 26 – The Studio at The Factory, Dallas, TX
May 28 – Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO
Jun 01 – Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
Jun 02 – House of Blues, San Diego, CA
Jun 03 – The Novo, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 04 – The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
Jun 09 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
Jun 10 – Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
Jun 11 – Celebrities, Vancouver, BC
