Released on November 7th, Fear of Heights marks a bold new chapter for Gallitzin, PA-based artist James Zero. Known for crafting every layer of his music—from vocals to bass, guitar, and drums, to producing and mixing—James has poured his creative soul into this haunting track. Described as his “emo magnum opus,” Fear of Heights veers into the dark, embracing the raw energy of early 2000s rock. Fans of My Chemical Romance and the gritty nostalgia of Limewire-era downloads will find themselves drawn to this track’s emotional depth and edgy sound.
Recorded at Winter Station Studios in Pennsylvania with collaborators RJPasin and Leighton Antelman, Fear of Heights weaves two intense themes: the dizzying highs of drug-induced euphoria and the primal fear of physical heights. With lyrics that dive into this duality, the song invites listeners into James’s psyche, reflecting both his personal anxieties and his diverse artistic influences. “If this doesn’t represent the sounds of the early 2000s, I don’t know what does,” he shares, nodding to the unrefined yet potent sounds that defined an era.
Drawing influence from rock icons like Good Charlotte and EDM artists like Madeon, James’s unique style blends nostalgia with fresh, inventive energy. His previous album, Oceans (& Other Bodies of Water), landed him tens of thousands of streams and recognition from fans and tastemakers alike, including features in New York Weekly and WTAJ-TV appearances. Each year, he also hosts “James Zero & the Heroes,” a live jazz lounge cover show that brings his fans into a wholly different side of his musical world.
The dark tone of Fear of Heights is a taste of his upcoming album early2thou, a project inspired by the gritty, low-quality downloads of rock’s past. Released just in time for the season’s shadowed edge, this single is a cathartic anthem for listeners facing their own fears and the unknown. Dive into Fear of Heights—available on all major streaming platforms—and experience James Zero’s latest, unfiltered creative expression.
