Liam Horne: “The Best Music Comes From Pure Instinct”

Words by Kasia Krawczyk

There’s a moment in Again, the latest single from Liam Horne, where everything hangs in the balance. It’s that split second when a friendship stops feeling like just a friendship, and suddenly nothing looks quite the same. Equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, it’s a feeling Liam Horne knows well—and one he turns into an effortlessly smooth blend of pop, R&B and soul.

It’s a fitting next step for the Scottish-born, Los Angeles-based artist. While many first came across Horne through his songwriting work—including a credit on Justin Bieber’s Believe—his recent solo releases have shown a different side: one that’s less concerned with chasing the perfect pop record and more interested in telling stories that feel lived-in.

Written alongside heavyweight collaborators James Fauntleroy and Brian Kennedy, Again finds Horne at his most vulnerable yet. Ahead of the single’s release, we caught up with him to talk about trusting instinct over perfection, growing up between Scotland and LA, and why the most honest songs are usually the hardest to write.

Three words that describe Liam Horne?

Liam: Honest, soulful, and dynamic.

You spent your childhood in Scotland before moving to Los Angeles. Looking back, how much of your identity comes from each place?

Liam: Scotland gave me my grounding, my humour and a real sense of community, while moving to LA opened up a completely new world of ambition. Scotland taught me to stay true to my roots, but LA encouraged me to dream bigger and experiment. I think my music sits somewhere between the two—the emotional honesty of where I grew up mixed with the polished, genre-blending sound that comes from living on the West Coast.

You’ve worked with some huge names over the years. Was there one lesson that’s stayed with you?

Liam: Working with veteran producers and writers early on completely reshaped my perspective. Watching people at that level create without fear or overthinking showed me that the best music comes from pure instinct. I stopped trying to write “hits” and started trying to tell genuine stories instead. Every collaboration has left its mark, so it’s impossible to pick just one.

‘Again’ is about that strange moment when friendship becomes something else. Why did you want to tell that story?

Liam: Because it’s something almost everyone has experienced. There’s that moment when you suddenly see someone differently and realise your feelings have changed. The song is about how blurry the line between friendship and romance can become—and how exciting and scary it is once you cross it.

You described it as “that rare, intoxicating moment” when everything changes. What do you hope people hear in it?

Liam: I hope people recognise that exact feeling. That moment of thinking, “Something’s changed, and there’s no going back.” Whether they’re going through it now or remembering a time they did, I hope they connect with that mix of excitement and vulnerability.

James Fauntleroy and Brian Kennedy are dream collaborators for a lot of artists. What did they bring to Again?

Liam: They immediately raise the standard just by being in the room. They challenged me to stop overwriting and focus on melody and emotion instead. They’re brilliant at finding the most authentic vocal performance while pushing melodies into places I probably wouldn’t have gone on my own.

Compared to Paradise and Everywhere, this feels more intimate. Was that intentional?

Liam: Definitely. Those songs introduced my sound, but Again is much more about storytelling. It feels more mature and personal. I’m letting people get closer to what I’m actually feeling rather than hiding behind the production.

Your music always feels emotionally direct, even when it’s undeniably pop. Is that balance something you consciously work at?

Liam: Not really. I never sit down trying to write something catchy. I always start with a feeling or a story. Once that’s honest, the melody usually comes naturally. A hook gets people through the door, but it’s the truth that keeps them listening.

Looking back at your early songwriting days—including writing for Justin Bieber—what’s changed the most?

Liam: Back then, I was learning how pop songs worked—studying structure and trying to understand what connected with huge audiences. Now I’m much more interested in writing from my own experiences. The songs feel more intentional because they’re coming from somewhere real.

What do you hope people take away from Again?

Liam: More than anything, I hope people feel understood. I hope it becomes the soundtrack to a moment they’ve lived through. There’s a lot more music coming too, along with visuals and more pieces of the story I’ve been building. Again is just the beginning.

Finally, are you a star or a freak?

Liam: (Laughs.) A little bit of both. You have to be a bit of a freak about your art if you ever want a chance of becoming a star.

With Again, which was released on August 7th, Liam Horne isn’t trying to reinvent pop. Instead, he’s stripping it back to what matters most: a good melody, an honest story and a feeling that’s impossible to fake. If this single is any indication, his most compelling work is only just getting started.