James Ford Opens Up About Writing ‘Lost In Another World’ During Leukemia Treatment

Exploring the emotional journey behind James Ford's new album created amid his leukemia battle.

Creating Art in the Eye of the Storm

When life throws the unimaginable at you, how do you hold onto your identity? James Ford, famed producer and former Simian Mobile Disco member, faced this challenge head-on while writing his deeply personal new album, Lost In Another World, during his acute myeloid leukemia treatment. The album, which will drop on August 14 via Domino, is not just a collection of songs—it’s a raw, vivid diary of his experience inside the hospital walls.

Ford, who’s worked with Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Blur, and many other legends, was in the middle of chemotherapy sessions at Barts Hospital when he began piecing together this record. The entire album came together in just over two weeks, a period when he was isolated in a sterile hospital room, battling not just the physical toll but the mental weight of his diagnosis.

The Sound of Another Realm: ‘Overtones’

Kicking off the album’s release is the trippy, psychedelic lead single Overtones. Ford describes the track as capturing the “otherworldliness” of his hospital experience—like a portal into the strange new world he found himself inhabiting.

“It feels like it’s leading you into the world I found myself in,” he explains. “The whole album was done smack bang in the middle of when I was having chemo. I was isolated in a little room on my own, which was quite a lonely and discombobulating experience.”

The official visualizer of Overtones invites you into this sonic landscape of surreal isolation, a hint of the unique emotional terrain Ford navigated.
Watch Overtones official visualizer

Facing Mortality and Finding Creativity

Ford’s outlook from those hospital days reveals the fragility anyone can face but few expect. At first, he felt invincible, but the leukemia diagnosis shattered that illusion.

“You never think something this serious is going to happen to you... Then suddenly, you’re faced with the fact that you might die! It’s quite an intense experience," he shares.

The treatment brought a phase called neutropenia—where the immune system is wiped out, forcing him into complete isolation. Ford likened it to a “prison sentence,” trapped alone in a sterile white room that felt like a scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey. The eerie stillness and loneliness made it difficult to summon creativity.

Yet, that very isolation sparked a deep yearning to reconnect with himself through music. With his wife bringing a laptop and microphone, Ford began sketching ideas, slowly reawakening the creative spark that had lain dormant.

“I just had an unshakable urge to do something and connect back to a version of myself I used to know. I got into this little tunnel and made the whole record in a couple of weeks.”

Honest Lyrics From a Place of Vulnerability

What came out of Ford’s hospital sessions was music stripped of pretense. No poetic shields, no elaborate metaphors—just raw, journal-like honesty set to sound.

“I was literally singing what was in my mind... almost in a diary-writing way. Looking back, it’s almost too on-the-nose and makes me wince a bit, but it’s a pure photograph of that period in my life.”

The songs grapple with the existential dread of facing death, peppered with pep talks Ford gave himself to hold on to hope. There are quiet love letters to his wife and young son, deeply personal and sometimes uncomfortable to revisit.

“A lot of the tunes are me trying to process the existential dread, but also trying to cheer myself up.”

The Album’s Emotional Landscape

Lost In Another World serves as a map of Ford’s emotional journey—the detachment, the moments of clarity, and the preciousness of everyday life.

“The opening track conveys this feeling of being detached from reality, like waking up from a chemo-induced dream where I heard otherworldly music. It left me with a hollow feeling.”

Other tracks reflect specific memories, like a day out with his son where Ford realized the quiet beauty of nature and everyday moments—moments he feared might be limited in the future.

“Did You Ever Want To Go To Your Own Funeral?”

One particularly striking track, despite its heavy title, carries a bittersweet humor and reflection. Ford was very public about his illness and received an outpouring of love, messages, and support from all corners—old friends, family, and strangers alike.

“It was a very beautiful, positive thing to feel so much love. It reminded me of someone at a funeral saying, ‘He would have loved this, it’s a shame he’s not here.’ I could peer through the door and witness that feeling firsthand.”

This mix of harrowing lows and transcendent moments of gratitude defines the past year of Ford’s life—a rollercoaster of emotions hard to put into words but powerfully captured in this album.

A New Perspective on Life

Surviving such a harrowing experience has reshaped Ford’s worldview completely.

“I feel more alive and viscerally connected to being alive than ever before. This whole experience has focused me back on what’s important.”

He acknowledges the tendency for everyday worries to pull one away from clarity, but he’s determined to hold onto the profound lessons he learned—appreciating life’s simple pleasures and moments.

“It’s akin to the feeling after a heavy psychedelic trip where you can see through the noise to what truly matters.”

Sharing Strength Through Music

Ford hopes that his journey and music can offer solace to anyone undergoing similar trials. He credits others who had faced serious illness for providing guidance and comfort during his darkest moments.

“Seeing that people had been through it was hugely helpful. If anyone can take something positive from what I’ve shared, that’s a win.”

Hospital Life Meets Studio Time

Recording an album in a hospital ward is an unusual feat, and Ford’s story of balancing treatment with creativity is captivating. Nurses often came in and out, sometimes trying to take his blood pressure mid-recording, amused by his persistence.

“The NHS was absolutely amazing, and about 80% of the people who cared for me were immigrants—the best of us. They saved my life every day.”

Though the hospital’s electronic beeps and machines sometimes made their way into the recordings, Ford eventually removed these sounds because their harshness became overwhelming.

Looking Toward Live Performances

Ford is cautiously optimistic about performing Lost In Another World live. He’s still in recovery and aware that relapses are possible, so approaching live shows is tentative.

“Talking about and listening to the album can be retraumatizing. I’m putting together a live show but have to see how it goes—it could be unpleasant or I might enjoy it.”

What’s Next for James Ford?

While Ford hinted at exciting projects on the horizon, he remains tight-lipped, wary from past experiences where sharing too soon stirred drama.

“There’s definitely some really exciting stuff coming, but I’ve learned to be shy about announcing things early.”

Lost In Another World arrives August 14 via Domino. Ford will perform at Green Man Festival in Wales on August 22 and headline at London’s Horse Hospital on September 17. For tickets and more info, visit his official site.

FAQ

• How did James Ford’s leukemia diagnosis influence the album?
  Ford’s diagnosis and treatment directly shaped the album’s themes and creation, capturing raw emotions during his hospital stay.
• What inspired the title track and lead single, Overtones?
  Overtones reflects the surreal, otherworldly feeling Ford experienced during chemotherapy-induced isolation.
• Did Ford incorporate hospital sounds into the album?
  Initially yes, but he removed most machine noises as they became overwhelming and negative in tone.
• Will James Ford perform the album live?
  He plans to, though cautiously, due to ongoing health recovery and emotional challenges revisiting the album.
• What message does Ford hope listeners take away?
  He hopes it offers comfort and a sense of shared experience to those facing tough health battles and inspires gratitude for life’s simple moments.

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