James Arthur, “Bitter Sweet Love.”

James Arthur, who vaulted to the top of the charts with epic love ballad “Say You Won’t Let Go,” knows his strengths. Some might try to veer away and avoid being pigeonholed. But the English singer-songwriter, known for his dulcet vocals and earnest lyricism, which make him one of pop music’s more refreshing staples, leans into it.

Bitter Sweet Love, his fifth album and first since 2021’s It’ll All Make Sense In The End, is a rumination on love in all its forms. He posits that healing isn’t linear on “A Year Ago,” an acoustic-guitar-led heartbreak tune, breathing deep melancholy into his delivery. The song builds with percussion and strings as he admits, “I wish that I could tell you that I miss you.”

“Sleepwalking” is thematically similar, continuing to the mental haze of despair. He hits the high notes on this track, reaches lower into his smooth tones and adds the heartache.

“Just Us” includes a choir and showcases the full extent of Arthur’s vocal range. It reads like an apology, with Arthur ranging from deep rumination to a bold crooning.

Other ballideering highlights include “Blindside,” which has a slightly techno-pop vibe with synths, and “From The Jump,” another acoustic ballad. But James Arthur isn’t all about the love or heartbreak songs.

“New Generation,” more about the state of the world today than about his own love life, is closer to a rock tune and sharpens his vocals. He digs into the hypocrisy of politicians, social media influence and the power of youth to change the narrative. The song is brash, full of taut guitar lines and much more noticeable, in-your-face percussion—but the choir sticks around. It continues to build, getting louder and heavier, a la the Strokes, culminating with screamed proclamation that, “The kids on the internet are running the world!”

The title track—which opens the album—leans more toward pop-rock than singer-songwriter fare. Arthur walks the line between yelling and singing without losing the poppy melody. All the way at the other end of the album is “Homecoming,” a love song in an American country music sort of way. Led by acoustic guitar, soft drumming, strings and a synth that takes the place of a pedal steel, it’s a love song for the artist’s hometown.

Arthur acknowledges his current life is far from coastal town Middlesbrough and details some escapes in L.A., but misses the simplicity of the life he traded to chase his dreams.

Follow writer Piper Westrom at Twitter.com/plwestrom.