‘Our dynamic is something special that you can’t buy’
Blue’s 20th anniversary comeback is running a little late. Because of the pandemic, it has now been 22 years since the boyband formed in London. Thankfully, they don’t appear too bothered. “Blue in 2022?” chuckles Simon Webbe. “It’s got a ring to it.”
Webbe is huddled together with Antony Costa, Duncan James and Lee Ryan – all now in their late 30s or early 40s – on a sofa at the headquarters of their new record label. The group have just released Haven’t Found You Yet, their first new music in seven years, and have an album ready to go.
“In a way, it’s difficult for us because we’ve had such big hits with songs like One Love and
All Rise,” says James. “Those songs still get played all around the world today and trying to emulate something that you did all those years ago is really tough. But I think when Antony did this track, we all looked at each other and were like, ‘That fits perfectly’.” Chasing the nostalgia train is the easy option for acts like Blue. But the group say their sixth album, Heart & Soul, aims to combine their classic pop balladeering with a more modern sound. Haven’t Found You Yet, co-written by Costa and producer Ronny Svendsen, has a soaring chorus to keep old fans happy whilst introducing shades of Purpose-era Justin Bieber and Coldplay.
“In 2020, we got invited to go to Sweden to do a songwriting camp,” recalls James. “At the time we just thought it would be nice to do something for the 20th anniversary, maybe knock out a new song for the fans.
“We didn’t really think much more about it at that point and then Antony ended up writing Haven’t Found You Yet and we all looked at each other like, ‘Bloody hell, this is a great song’.”
It’s been 21 years since their debut single All Rise was released and became a worldwide hit. Since then, Blue have sold some 16 million records, scored three number one singles and three number one albums, won two Brits and represented the UK at Eurovision, coming a respectable 11th. There have also been challenges – bankruptcy and addiction among them.
“We have got stronger as a band,” says Costa. “We have grown together. Yes, we’ve done other things. We’ve done our own solo projects, whether it be acting, singing, etcetera. But the most important thing is love and respect – and that’s something that we’ve got and will always have. No one can come into our circle of trust, so to speak, and try and break what we’ve got – break our bond. We’ve got stronger and stronger as the years have gone on. We’ve been through so much. But listen, it is all positive now. We are moving forward with the album and tour. As D:Ream once said in 1997, Things Can Only Get Better.” James gets emotional as he recalls their journey. “Honestly, I grew up as a little Devon kid with an aspiration to get to London. I got to London, I got to meet these boys and I got to travel the world. And I probably never thought that would happen in my life.”