Hope Is a Drug
2025 album by Charlie Simpson
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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.
| Hope Is a Drug | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 22 April 2022 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 34:50 | |||
| Label | Komorebi | |||
| Producer |
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| Charlie Simpson chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Hope Is a Drug | ||||
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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 |