James Marriott’s ‘Lovestruck’ has a chorus built for a loud response

James Marriott’s delivery wins me over on ‘Lovestruck’. He opens with a bank-robbery proposition, calls himself a disease and a heartthrob, then questions someone else’s relationship. It is an outrageous introduction, and I enjoy how confidently he commits to it.

The single is out now ahead of James’s third album, Warning Signs, due on 15th January 2027 through AWAL. Its narrator falls for someone already involved with another man, then argues for a breakup while declaring his own affection.

I like the absurd scale of the opening proposition. The tank-top detail makes his romantic sales pitch funnier, bringing all those extravagant promises down to someone trying to impress.

Then the chorus gives me something more direct to sing. James knows how to build a chorus his fans will enjoy raucously singing back to him on stage. The repeated title is catchy and easy to join, and I want to hear how loudly an audience answers him.

There is some friction beneath the romantic bravado. The reference to stained makeup suggests distress, while the boyfriend’s belittling behaviour gives the narrator grounds for concern. He wants someone treated better, and he also wants to be chosen.

From synth bass to ‘1979’

James initially wrote a heavier electronic version with synth bass, placing the bank-robbery line in a screamed chorus. After shelving it, he reconsidered the song while listening to the Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘1979’. He tried replacing the opening line, but retained it.

“I spent hours trying to replace ‘which one of you fuckers wants your bank robbed’ but nothing ever hit me in the same way,” James explains. “It feels like a very sincere song to me.”

The accompanying video adopts a one-shot style. James spent a couple of days learning to dance for it, describing his efforts as dancing “poorly”. He wanted the video to match the song’s sincerity while trying an approach different from most of his previous videos.

‘Lovestruck’ review

I enjoy ‘Lovestruck’ most when its exaggerated confidence gives way to the plain declaration of wanting someone. The humour makes the entrance memorable, but the chorus earns its place beyond the opening joke.

James makes a strong case for keeping an unruly idea and committing to it. My reason for returning is straightforward: ‘Lovestruck’ is catchy, and James sells it.

Watch the video above, listen to ‘Lovestruck’ on Spotify, or follow James on Instagram.