Spindle Radar: RJ Thompson Returns With His New Single ‘Your Money Or Your Life’

With a UK top 5 album under his belt and multiple tours with Jools Holland, musical mastermind RJ Thompson is back with his most ambitious music to date. Today he releases the first track of his new era, the euphoric ’Your Money Or Your Life’, which sees the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist at his very best, with impeccable songwriting backed by jangly guitar and synth-pop. We caught up with him to discuss diverse musical influences, augmented reality and RJ 2.0.

Hi RJ! How have you been and what have you been up to since your last release, the album Lifeline, in 2020? A lot has happened in the world since then!

I’ve been really well, thanks. Yeah… a lot has happened, but I’ve had my head down, trying to focus my mind on creating. Writing. Recording. Coming up with a world around the new music.

Your 2020 album ‘Lifeline’ was a Top 5 album – did you ever expect that?

Truthfully, no. It was beyond my wildest dreams. I could tell really early on that the album was being received well, but no, I never expected just how well!

Let’s dive into your new single, ‘Your Money Or Your Life’. What inspired you to write it?

I’ve had the chorus for a long time. Probably nearly two years. I heard the expression “it’s your money or your life” on an old movie, and it prompted a stream of thoughts about how that applies to so many things in life. How people are left to make tough decisions on a daily basis… money vs. what is actually best for them or their family.

You’ve previously been dubbed the’ Synth Springsteen’! Is that a title you can relate to?

*Laughs*. Yeah, I guess I can. I’ve been a big fan of his for years. The way he weaves social commentary through his stories. And the way he can make you feel joyous and high with one chord sequence, or make you feel socially conscious with another. It’s an honour to be mentioned in the same sentence, to be honest.

What music did you listen to growing up? Have your musical tastes changed in any way over time, or is there a genre you like that may feel unexpected?

My earliest musical influences growing up were Motown, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye… people like that. But when I first heard Springsteen when I was about 12 or 13… that’s when it changed for me. That’s when I understood what a songwriter should be I think. At least lyrically. I think my music draws on all those influences though, along with more modern artists like Beck and Bleachers.

Augmented reality has been a big part of your previous work, having used it for effects on your album art. Will you continue to experiment with it? What is it about AR that makes you want to have it as part of the RJ experience?

Absolutely… I have big plans for the augmented reality side on the new album. It feels like the perfect technology to blend the digital world with the physical world. To make owning the physical record an experience again.

You’ve toured with the likes of Gabrielle Aplin and musical legend Jools Holland – is there anyone else you’d love to hit the road with?

Sure… Beck would be a cool guy to head out with. Bleachers. Springsteen. Haim. I’m a huge fan of all of their work.

Are there any artists you’d love to collaborate with on a track? 

Probably the same answer as above to be honest. But truthfully, I’m happy to just keep my head down, work on my craft, and if those opportunities come along one day, then great. If not, hopefully, I’ll have created a lot of music in the meantime.

What’s the one thing you want fans to take away from your music?

My favourite artists… you don’t necessarily fall in love with one of their songs on first listen. They’re so layered and deep that you slowly grow to love it, and once you’re hooked you’re hooked. I think that’s what I want with my music. Something that you can look deeper and deeper into until you love it as much as I do.

What can we expect from this new era of RJ Thompson? Are there any differences between previous releases and your forthcoming new music? 

The new music is more ambitious for sure. Whereas Lifeline was about childhood and growing up for the most part, this new record deals with more universal themes… love, loss, and social issues. It sonically reaches places far beyond what I could have written a few years ago. I’ve grown, and my songwriting has progressed. It still sounds like me… just a more confident, daring, and self-assured me.

Make sure to listen to RJ Thompson’s new single ‘Your Money or Your Life’.