James Bourne is to release a new album he’s spent 13 years working on – but he “feared” it wouldn’t be finished due to his recent ill health.
The 42-year-old musician pulled out of the Busted Vs McFly tour last September due to an undisclosed medical condition, but James is returning with a new record, Murder At The Gates, a concept album featuring songs from his and playwright Steven Sater’s new musical of the same name.
James’ new record will drop on July 1st, and he was determined to complete the album for his fans.
He told The Sun newspaper: “I didn’t want my health to stop me from promoting this project because I’ve put 13 years of my life into it.
“There was a fear of not finishing it. But I knew I had to finish it and give this to the people.
“There’s like a few people that have been waiting for it. There are hardcore fans who show to up for everything – and I have been speaking about this for a long time.
“It feels so good to now have this as a finished product. And it’s the first album I’ve ever produced. So I’m proud of it.”
James admitted his health issues gave him “the gift of time” to allow him to complete the record, which features vocals from Stranger Things actor Gaten Matarazzo.
He added: “This album definitely has a different feeling to all the others.
“With everything going on with my health, I have been given the gift of time.
“I was given a lot of time back when I wasn’t touring. It was like turning a negative into a positive. It was such a shame to have to drop out from the tour, because I love touring so much.
“But you have to turn negative into positive. They’re the conversations I’ve had with my closest friends.
“I wanted to take the time I’d been given and deliver this album.”
In April, James told fans he was having “major surgery” in a bid to “extend [his] life”.
He wrote on his Instagram Stories: “I realised it’s been about six months since I posted last. I have a plan in place to have a major surgery that should extend my life and hopefully make me well enough to come back to what I love the most which is touring and making music. It really sucks to be out of the game. But there is hope!”
He did not give any extra information on his health or any details of the planned surgery.