James Harries captures folk-rock with an open heart on new album 'Love & Desire'

James Harries’ 'Love & Desire' arrives like a warm gust of wind through an open window. With a renowned catalogue behind him and decades of live performance under his belt, Harries demonstrates why he has remained a quietly towering presence on the folk and indie circuit. Recorded over just three days, the album feels like a living room conversation set to music, brimming with the unpredictability that makes his brand of folk-rock feel so human.

Standout offering 'Shivers Down My Spine' electrifies with understated urgency, while 'I Want Out' hits with ragged, indie-folk intensity, where each note is threaded with emotional truth. Even the lighter, more playful touches of 'Paris' reveal Harries’ knack for storytelling, turning small gestures into big cinematic moments. While the album’s title-track shines as a love letter to imperfection itself.

Instrumentally, the album dances between delicate folk textures and subtle indie-rock punch. Acoustic guitars weave through the mix with ease, keys shimmer in the background, and percussion never overwhelms, letting the songs breathe, all while capturing moments that might otherwise have vanished in overproduction.

'Love & Desire' is James Harries at his most magnetic, presenting an album that wears its heart on its sleeve without a trace of self-consciousness. It’s confessional, celebratory, and deeply human, a reminder that sometimes the best music comes from trusting instinct over polish.