Australian country-rock artist James Keith leans into the realities of long-distance love on his new single 'CRUEL GAME', out Friday, May 29, a country-rock anthem about choosing devotion in the face of doubt. Arriving alongside the announcement of his forthcoming album, 'I Call It Magic When I’m With You' (out October 2), the track finds him reflecting on the risks of loving deeply and why some things are still worth holding onto.
Since the release of his ARIA Country Albums Chart-topping debut 'Life Is Good Today' in 2024, James Keith has continued to build on his grounded brand of country-rock storytelling. Following a Top 10 placing in the prestigious Toyota Star Maker competition in 2025, Keith now formally announces his forthcoming album, 'I Call It Magic When I’m With You'.
Set for release this October, the 14-track project explores new love, distance and choosing joy through life’s challenges, building on the themes introduced across his recent run of singles.
Sparked by a comment questioning the sincerity of his relationship, his next single explores what it means to stand by love when circumstances make things harder. Honest and defiant, 'CRUEL GAME' traces the tension between fear and faith, grounding itself in trust, patience, and the belief that some connections are worth fighting for. Speaking on the track, Keith shares:
“The song acknowledges the risks that come with loving deeply, the fear of falling, and the outside voices that label devotion as foolish or cruel. But rather than retreat, 'CRUEL GAME' reframes love as something rare, powerful, and worth standing up for.”
Built on overdriven electric guitars, intricate riffs and punchy percussion, 'CRUEL GAME' leans into a bigger, rockier side of James Keith’s sound. Overdriven guitar riffs weave through the track’s quieter moments, giving space for its emotional weight to settle before a soaring guitar solo bursts through in the bridge, adding a rugged intensity to the song’s tender core.
Out Friday, May 29, 'CRUEL GAME' is the latest release from James Keith’s forthcoming album 'I Call It Magic When I’m With You'.
Since the release of his ARIA Country Albums Chart-topping debut 'Life Is Good Today' in 2024, James Keith has continued to build on his grounded brand of country-rock storytelling. Following a Top 10 placing in the prestigious Toyota Star Maker competition in 2025, Keith now formally announces his forthcoming album, 'I Call It Magic When I’m With You'.
Set for release this October, the 14-track project explores new love, distance and choosing joy through life’s challenges, building on the themes introduced across his recent run of singles.
Sparked by a comment questioning the sincerity of his relationship, his next single explores what it means to stand by love when circumstances make things harder. Honest and defiant, 'CRUEL GAME' traces the tension between fear and faith, grounding itself in trust, patience, and the belief that some connections are worth fighting for. Speaking on the track, Keith shares:
“The song acknowledges the risks that come with loving deeply, the fear of falling, and the outside voices that label devotion as foolish or cruel. But rather than retreat, 'CRUEL GAME' reframes love as something rare, powerful, and worth standing up for.”
Built on overdriven electric guitars, intricate riffs and punchy percussion, 'CRUEL GAME' leans into a bigger, rockier side of James Keith’s sound. Overdriven guitar riffs weave through the track’s quieter moments, giving space for its emotional weight to settle before a soaring guitar solo bursts through in the bridge, adding a rugged intensity to the song’s tender core.
Out Friday, May 29, 'CRUEL GAME' is the latest release from James Keith’s forthcoming album 'I Call It Magic When I’m With You'.