Hope Is a Drug
| Hope Is a Drug | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 22 April 2022 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 34:50 | |||
| Label | Komorebi | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Charlie Simpson chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Hope Is a Drug | ||||
| ||||
Hope Is a Drug is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Charlie Simpson. It was released through his independent record label, Komorebi Records, on 22 April 2022. It marks his first solo album in six years since his album, Little Hands (2016), and features a sole guest appearance from Amberlake.
The album was supported by the four singles: "I See You", "Blameless", "One of Us", and "All the Best".
Background
On 16 November 2021, Simpson announced the album available to pre-order alongside its promotional tour.[1] Initially scheduled for release on 11 March, the record was pushed back.[2] In a statement posted to his social media accounts, he explained how COVID-19 affected the manufacturing supply chains, which resulted a delayal in the physical formats being delivered to purchasers. He continued that the new album release date was set for 15 April, and the tour rescheduled to May.[3]
Composition
Simpson wanted to make it different from his previous projects, where he "explore[d] the different ranges" of his voice. He wrote most of the tracks on the piano, and intentionally avoided using the guitar.[4]
In an exclusive interview with NME, he revealed that he began writing Hope Is a Drug in 2019, and favoured a "more stripped-back" sound. He wanted to showcase a more vulnerable side, where he explored his past relationships; something he previously never did before. He added it was his "most self-reflective record".[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "All the Best" |
|
| 3:19 |
| 2. | "Blameless" |
|
| 3:31 |
| 3. | "One of Us" |
|
| 3:28 |
| 4. | "Good to Love" (featuring Amberlake) |
|
| 2:45 |
| 5. | "Twice" |
|
| 3:52 |
| 6. | "I See You" |
| Simpson | 3:29 |
| 7. | "Flatline" |
|
| 3:59 |
| 8. | "Anything for Love" |
|
| 3:23 |
| 9. | "Remembered Like This" |
|
| 3:29 |
| 10. | "Sliding Doors" |
| Simpson | 3:35 |
| Total length: | 34:50 | |||
Personnel
- Charlie Simpson – vocals, production
- JJ Armstrong – artwork
- Fraser Taylor – photography
- Stuart Hawkes – mastering
- Carl Bown – mixing (tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 10)
- Charlie Holmes – mixing (tracks 4, 9)
- Phil Gornell – production, mixing (tracks 1, 7)
- Woz Clarke – mixing (track 2)
- Josh Wilkinson – production (track 2)
- Martin Luke Brown – production (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 8)
- Nick "Amberlake" Tsang – additional vocals (track 4), production (tracks 3, 4, 9)
Charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[6] | 10 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[7] | 28 |
References
- ^ Charlie Simpson [@CharlieSimpson] (16 November 2021). "I'm delighted to announce my new album and tour HOPE IS A DRUG" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Rogers, Jack (16 November 2021). "Charlie Simpson Has Announced the Details of His New Solo Album 'Hope Is a Drug'". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ Charlie Simpson [@charliesimpson]; (28 February 2022). "*ALBUM/TOUR RESCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT*". Archived from the original on 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Charlie Simpson on his 'most vulnerable' album yet: 'I don't have any regrets'". 20 April 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ Ryan, Gary (14 April 2022). "Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! – Charlie Simpson"". NME. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 June 2025.