ThisIsTheMusic

There’s a certain freedom that comes when an artist stops trying to prove anything. On It’s All Happening, James Walsh — best known as the voice and songwriter behind Starsailor — sounds completely at peace with where he is. This is not a record chasing relevance or rekindling past glories. Instead, it’s an album rooted in reflection, place and emotional honesty, where subtlety replaces spectacle and songwriting takes centre stage.

Across eleven tracks, Walsh leans into restraint, allowing space, melody and memory to do the heavy lifting. His voice — still unmistakable, still capable of cutting straight through — carries stories shaped by experience rather than urgency. It’s All Happening unfolds like a late-night conversation: intimate, thoughtful and quietly profound, rewarding those willing to slow down and listen.

It’s All Happening is released on Friday 30th January. Here’s the ThisIsTheMusic track-by-track review:

At The End Of Everything

The album opens in a place of quiet reckoning. Sparse, atmospheric and almost weightless, this track feels like Walsh taking a deep breath before telling his story. His vocal is front and centre — fragile but assured — carrying themes of endings, acceptance and emotional clarity. It’s cinematic without trying to be grand, setting the reflective tone that defines the album.

Moving Target

Built on gentle acoustic textures, Moving Target explores restlessness and emotional distance. There’s a subtle forward motion here, driven more by melody than rhythm, while Walsh’s vocal glides effortlessly between vulnerability and resolve. The songwriting feels conversational — honest, direct, and quietly affecting.

Shadows

One of the album’s darker moments, Shadows leans into introspection and emotional nuance. The arrangement remains restrained, allowing the lyric to do the heavy lifting. Walsh’s delivery is particularly expressive here, capturing the tension between past regrets and present understanding. It’s understated, but deeply resonant.

Lovin’ You

Warm and melodic, Lovin’ You brings a softer emotional glow to the record. There’s a tenderness in both the lyrics and instrumentation, suggesting intimacy without sentimentality. Walsh’s voice feels relaxed and open, reinforcing the song’s sincerity and emotional accessibility.

The Great Northwest

This track introduces a strong sense of place, unfolding like a travelogue filtered through memory. There’s a cinematic quality to the arrangement, with subtle layers building atmosphere rather than scale. It’s reflective and expansive, showing Walsh’s talent for pairing imagery with emotional depth.

Coney Island

Nostalgic without drifting into cliché, Coney Island captures fleeting moments and emotional snapshots. The song feels almost like a faded photograph — gentle, reflective and tinged with longing. Walsh’s vocal delivery is particularly evocative here, drawing the listener into its quiet emotional pull.

Broken Days

One of the album’s emotional anchors, Broken Days leans into introspection and resilience. The melody carries a subtle sense of hope beneath the weariness, while the lyrics reflect on endurance rather than defeat. It’s a song that feels lived-in, shaped by experience rather than impulse.

Rachel

Intimate and deeply personal, Rachel stands out for its emotional directness. Walsh’s storytelling is at its most unguarded here, turning specificity into something universal. The stripped-back arrangement enhances the vulnerability, allowing the emotion to land without distraction.

Pooles Cavern

Rooted in place and memory, Pooles Cavern has a natural, almost earthy feel. The song unfolds patiently, drawing strength from subtle dynamics and melodic restraint. It feels reflective rather than nostalgic — a song about understanding where you’ve come from rather than longing to return.

Firefly Moments

A beautifully judged closing track, Firefly Moments captures the album’s core themes: fleeting beauty, memory and quiet acceptance. Soft, glowing and gently hopeful, it feels like the final thought at the end of a long conversation. Walsh leaves the listener not with closure, but with warmth — a sense that some moments are meant simply to be held.

It’s All Happening is the sound of an artist fully comfortable in his own skin. James Walsh doesn’t need to raise his voice to be heard here — the strength of the record lies in its stillness, its sincerity and its emotional clarity. These are songs that linger rather than shout, built on lived experience and delivered with understated confidence.

In an age of constant noise, Walsh chooses nuance. The result is a mature, graceful solo album that finds beauty in the small moments and meaning in reflection. It’s All Happening isn’t about reinvention — it’s about refinement. And in its quiet, thoughtful way, it’s one of the most affecting statements of his career.