A fable about wanting too much anchors the latest from Luke James Williams. The rising indie-folk artist has released “Full Moon,” another taste of his second album ‘Limes Hotel,’ which is out now. The track is a cautionary tale of greed that closes on a haunting, Kate Bush-esque outro.
The message sits right at the surface. “Full Moon is about the dangers of not knowing where to stop in our pursuit of what we want,” says Luke. “Gluttony can lead people to do very stupid things that put themselves and others in grave danger. The hunter becomes the hunted in this part fable, part cautionary tale.”
The accompanying video, made by UK-based filmmaker and photographer Matthew Oaten, features two ballet dancers in pursuit around London’s Barbican. “When I listened to Full Moon, I was struck by the sense of pursuit running through it, the idea of desire becoming predatory,” says Matthew. “I saw it as a reflection on greed, competition and the futility of capitalism, and wanted the video to express those ideas physically. I’m grateful to Luke for trusting me to follow that instinct and create something true to the song.”
‘Limes Hotel’ marks a bold step into a new chapter, an intimate collection rooted in contemporary folk yet unafraid to wander, full of unexpected textures, tonal shifts, and emotional risk. Guided by Luke’s unmistakably English vocal and sparse, atmospheric instrumentation, the album emerged from an intense period of grief following the loss of two close friends, tracing questions of mortality, belief, connection, and the quiet work of piecing yourself back together.
Despite its origins in sadness, the record leans toward renewal, what Luke calls “new shoots reaching up towards the sun; the hope and promise of new life rising from the darkness.” He adds: “Grief is universal but it often feels very isolating. I hope this album, whilst having been born out of a very dark time, can give a little light and some comfort to people going through similar experiences.”
Williams hails from Cambridgeshire, and his debut EP ‘Drove’ (2018) earned early support from BBC Radio 6 Music’s Tom Robinson, who named “Still In Bed” his 6 Music Recommends Track of the Week and later his Track of the Year So Far, with further airplay from Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq, and Tom Ravenscroft. His debut album ‘Our Blood Is Red’ arrived in July 2022 to glowing reviews, and Bandcamp tapped it as a New & Notable release.
Renowned for his emotionally resonant live shows, Williams has supported Thea Gilmore, Mark Chadwick of the Levellers, Charlie Dore, and Megson, and played Cambridge Folk Festival before his first UK headline tour in autumn 2022. Once called “the James Taylor of the Fens,” he’s carved out a distinctive voice in modern British folk, full of vivid, poetic songwriting delivered with warmth and honesty. With ‘Limes Hotel,’ he cements himself as a songwriter of rare emotional clarity.
Tour Dates:
Friday 12th June — Junction J3, Cambridge
Thursday 23rd July — South Mill Arts, Bishops Stortford