Hayden James is getting a head start on summer, releasing his latest single “Here & Now”, featuring singer-songwriter Maria Hazell.
Built around plucked guitars, keys, M1 piano and Hazell’s vocals, the track leans into the warm, nostalgic electronic sound that helped establish James as one of Australia’s most successful dance music exports.
It’s familiar territory for the Sydney producer, whose breakthrough single “Something About You” became a defining summer anthem following its release in December 2014. Over a decade later, he’s still finding new ways to capture that feeling.
“‘Here & Now’ feels like that throwback, nostalgic summer record you play at the start of your holidays,” James said. “It’s a special one to me and I fall in love with it more and more every time I hear it.”
The single came together over several months of collaboration with Welsh singer-songwriter Tudor and Hazell, with James focused on finding the balance between a classic summer sound and something contemporary.
The Swedish vocalist brings considerable pop credentials to the collaboration. Hazell began her professional career as a demo singer for legendary producer Max Martin and has since accumulated songwriting credits for artists including Tove Lo, Mabel, and Zara Larsson.
There’s also a personal connection behind the single’s cover art. James once again collaborated with his wife, visual artist Jennifer Lia, who developed the cover’s art direction and also appears as its model.
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“Her idea of capturing that raw summer vibe of going out with your friends to dinner and clubbing suits this record so well,” James said.
The couple share a creative space on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where Lia’s art studio sits alongside James’ music studio.
“Here & Now” follows two earlier 2026 releases, “For The Girls” featuring Bipolar Sunshine and “One I Want” with Kormack and Yeah Boy, continuing a productive period for the multi-platinum, ARIA-nominated producer.
The release also arrives as James prepares to announce another instalment of his intimate ‘Just Friends’ pop-up series. The next event follows a sold-out sunset party at Sydney’s Club Rose Bay in June; part of a series that brings his dancefloor-focused sets into smaller, more intimate spaces.
After spending several years based in the United States and touring internationally, James has been establishing a new chapter back in Australia while maintaining his global touring schedule.
With more demos already in development and further releases expected throughout 2027, “Here & Now” offers another glimpse of what’s ahead.
Hayden James’ “Here & Now” is out now.
