Hayden James Shares His Growth and Evolution With ‘Dancy’ Third Album, We Could Be Love

Multi-Platinum Australian producer and DJ Hayden James is an undeniable star with more than half a billion streams to his name, but we don't think he's ever been better than on his third album, the newly released We Could Be Love.

The album consists of 11 tracks, including "Make It" featuring Kormak, "Deep Diving" featuring SHELLS and the title track featuring AR/CO, to be his most vibrant and danceable yet. We Could Be Love reminds us that Hayden is anything but your typical EDM artist, injecting each track with a sound that embraces elements of indie dance and pop music, combining his roots in Australian house music with American and U.K. club sounds. It's moving and emotionally evocative at each turn, and Hayden was kind enough to answer all of our most burning questions about the new album in the interview below.

Sweety High: What does the album title We Could Be Love mean to you? Why did that title track feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?

Hayden James: It's about the possibility of love. We could be this amazing thing, something that could grow and bloom into something special. This song just felt like the perfect record for the album title for that reason.

 

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SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the album? What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?

HJ: This album is quite a bit more "dancy" than my other two albums, but I still feel it's as emotive as my previous records. That's something I think that is part of my "songwriting DNA"—the emotive side of dance music. I just hope people enjoy it and listen from top to bottom. I personally feel there's not one "album track" on here. They're all very special songs.

(Photo credit: Cybele Malinowski)

 

SH: How would you describe the album's sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?

HJ: For me, simplicity is key, and that's something I've always practiced when writing music and producing. Most of the records are pretty weighty production-wise. I strive for that. I feel it really helps bring that emotive feeling forward in the records. There's never anything more than a couple synth elements, bass, stripped back drums and strong vocals. I worked on all of these records with a good friend of mine, Kormak. He's just incredible at helping me achieve the sounds I'm after very quickly. I also mixed the record with a mate from London who's just a gun and brought everything to life, Tom Demac.

 

SH: How do you feel that these songs represent where you are in life right now?

HJ: I feel really great about the sound of this album and where I'm at personally and professionally. I spent all last year (2023) playing clubs and festivals mainly in the USA and I think that's why the record feels more club-leaning, which I'm really loving. I still feel everything sounds very "HJ" which is the most important thing to me.

(We Could Be Love via Future Classic)

 

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SH: What is your favorite song on the album? Why?
HJ: Hmmmmm. Tough question. Honestly it depends on what mood I'm in. If I'm just driving along the coast, it's "Patience." If I'm headed out for a night, it's "We Could Be Love." If I'm watching the sunrise, it's "Don't Let Me Go."  If I'm out at a club, it's "Waves Out."Obviously, I can't choose.

 

SH: How do you think you've evolved as an artist since Lifted?

HJ: I think I've just been very fortunate to work with a lot of incredibly talented artists since Lifted that has strengthened my songwriting skills and production overall. I always find when I'm in a room with other artists, I'm always learning, and learning leads to evolving, right?

 

SH: You'll also be kicking off a tour in support of the album this month. Is there anything special we should be looking out for on the tour?

HJ: I'm so pumped to be playing these shows in North America. I haven't played a show in the USA for about nine months. I'll be playing all my own records and really want to recreate the feeling of a house party vibe. I'm not going too heavy on production and want to just build a party each night. Something authentic. It's also going to be epic to perform with Laurence Guy and Kormak.

 

For more from the artists who inspire us, click HERE to read our most recent interview with "Who I Am" singer-songwriter Wyn Starks.