James & Paul are a Morpeth-based duo who have featured on this blog a couple of times before. It was in the Summer of 2022 that their album Tabula Rasa got them onto our radar, and we followed that up earlier this year with a share of their track Helicopter Trees. Their latest is an alternative pop-rock wonder. It’s called Dead or Alive.

By Graeme Smith

Dead or Alive is a lively track that will instantly lift your mood right from its instrumental intro. Soulful vocals come in with an uplifting message. James & Paul have a number of influences that ranges from cinematic rock to traditional folk but their latest definitely leans into the pop punk genre, not unlike Blink-182.

James & Paul are the father and son duo of James Brown on vocals and lyrics and Paul Brown on guitars. Dead or Alive was recorded at Blast Studios in Newcastle by engineer and producer Ollie. You can give the track a listen below.