Chesney Hawkes Teases More From LP ‘Living Arrows’ With New Single ‘Loud’

Chesney Hawkes became one of the biggest pop stars of his era with his irresistible mega-hit The One And Only. But sometimes lightning strikes twice to provide an unexpected second chance, which Hawkes has enjoyed with his recent singles Get A Hold Of Yourself and Live Forever, landing on Radio 2’s A-list and confirming a Radio 2 Piano Room this month alongside artists including Coldplay, Teddy Swims, Tom Grennan and Kate Hudson. As he builds towards the release of his new album Living Arrows on 4th April 2025, the singer has dropped latest single Loud alongside news that he’ll be supporting James Blunt on his arena tour across Europe.

Chesney Hawkes

Chesney Hawkes (Ed Henderson)

Loud, a song at the very heart of the album, is something of a misnomer and shows another side to the Windsor-hailing songwriting; raw and written from the heart about his experiences of grief and loss. It starts with arpeggiating piano notes that glint like gossamer in an October dawn; Hawkes’s voice rises and falls, recalling leaves caught in an autumn breeze. “You were never really far away,” he sings, “Til the moment that I close my eyes/ I just know that something keeps you in my life.” It’s a beautiful sentiment that will mean something to anyone who has been through loss – a song laced with both grief and hope.

He explains: “Most of us have experienced some kind of loss at some point in our life. This song is very close to my heart and has given me comfort with my own experiences. I really hope that these lyrics can help others through their own difficult times.”

Living Arrows is Hawkes at his most vulnerable, completely free of inhibitions or doubts. There is heartache, yes, but there is joy, too, and gratitude for everything he has in life. Combined with his heartfelt, candid style of songwriting, the album’s cohesive pop-rock sound creates what is not only his greatest work to date, but also the most authentic representation of the man behind the artist. The album takes its name from On Children, a poem by the Lebanese-American writer, poet and artist Kahlil Gibran, which addresses the importance of nurturing children while also accepting that their independence has to be a parent’s ultimate priority.

The 53-year-old says: “Something I didn’t realise straight away, when I started putting these songs together, is that I was creating a sort of roadmap for my kids. I had them in mind the whole time, because the messages on songs like Live Forever are all to do with taking life by the horns, doing what you love and following your instincts. One thing that happens as a parent, especially when your kids start getting a little older, is that you realise you have to let them go. You have to let them do their own things – make their own mistakes. So I realised that’s what I was doing with this record, I’m trying to give them the right advice.”

The Living Arrows album was produced and co-written by the BRIT Award winner and GRAMMY® nominee Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, One Direction). The friendship between the pair is a big element of the album’s success: it’s a connection that allows Chesney to face the tougher emotions that he explores in some of its songs, but also to enjoy the unbridled fun that he channels in others. Its buoyant spirit was further elevated by guest appearances from friends including Nik Kershaw and Chesney’s brother Jodie Hawkes.

Chesney Hawkes @ The Half Moon, Putney

Chesney Hawkes @ The Half Moon, Putney (Kalpesh Patel)

Mental health struggles are a recurring theme in the album, which is also reflected by the news that Hawkes has become an ambassador for the suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). His role includes kick-starting a much-needed conversation about suicide in the UK and raising awareness for CALM’s life-saving work.

Off the back of playing sold out arenas in Europe supporting James Blunt, Chesney Hawkes’ Live In ‘25 UK headline tour will be his first in over a decade. His recent sold-out London show at the O2 Academy Islington is proof of how uplifting his live experience is, with his voice still in peak condition as he mixes old favourites, new cuts and his engaging takes on some select covers. It’s also a family affair, with the band including his brother Jodie on drums and his son Indiana on guitar.

Upcoming UK tour dates:

MARCH
20th – Newbury, Arlington Arts
22nd – Southend, Chinnerys
23rd – Bristol, Fleece
27th – Bury, The Met
28th – Newcastle, The Cluny
29th – Sheffield, Yellow Arch

APRIL
3rd – Farsley, Old Woollen
4th – Grimsby, Docks Academy
5th – Southport, Atkinson
6th – Cardiff, Globe
7th – Southampton, Engine Rooms

Wyatt Flores @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

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