‘Let’s get this to the top’- Chorley artist hopes to storm charts again with ‘queer-coded’ cover of James’ hit

A dance-pop artist from Chorley has just released his new single off the back of some major chart success.

Chorley born Tom Wills is hoping to take the charts by storm again with his new single ‘Laid’.

Released first thing this morning, ‘Laid’ - a dance remix of the iconic James song - comes off the back of his previous single ‘Mid-Night Move’s’ which hit number #4 on the UK iTunes Dance Chart, #40 on the UK iTunes All Genres Chart and #19 on the German Dance Charts in February, pulling over 5,000 radio plays across the UK and Europe.

Hoping to replicate that success, 27-year-old Tom worked with Preston-based producer Sholz-Y to transform the 90s indie melancholy into a dance-pop anthem built for a 2026 dancefloor, featuring hypnotic synths, driving bass and soaring vocals.

Sholz-Y, who wasthis year’s winner of TheDance Division/Label Radar competition, has worked with various artists including Pop Idol winner Sarah Whatmore and Finnish DJ M1CKY.

Tom told the Post: “Honestly, hitting #4 UK iTunes Dance with ‘Mid-Night Moves’ was surreal - I didn’t expect that kind of response, especially as an independent artist. It proved people want melodic house that actually means something. With ‘Laid’, I’m aiming even higher. The early response has been incredible (#47 UK iTunes Dance in the first few hours!) and I want to see how far we can push it.”

The background to the song’s production starts and ends in Lancashire too.

Former Southlands High School pupil Tom grew up with James’ ‘Laid’ on constant rotation at his home in Chorley- a free sampler CD from a Sunday newspaper in the 00s became the soundtrack to his childhood.

‘Laid’ and ‘Sit Down’ were his favourite tracks, worn out, played on repeat, every lyric memorised.

Years later, Tom saw James live at Lytham Festival 2024 with his family and the experience reconnected Tom to the band and the song ‘Laid’ but this time, older, the lyrics hit differently.

In particular, Tom, an openly queer artist, said the line ‘Messed around with gender roles, line my eyes and call me pretty’ encapsulatrf chaos, fluidity and gender play, inspiring him to reimagine ‘Laid’ so as to “amplify[] the queer-coded energy that was always there”.

Tom explained: “I grew up with this song, but it wasn’t until I was older that I really understood what it was saying to me.

“Those lines about gender fluidity, breaking the rules, the song was ahead of its time. I wanted to bring that energy to the dancefloor for 2026.”

Despite now being based Manchester, Tom told us it would mean a lot if the people of Lancashire could get behind his new single.

Tom said: “All my family still live in Lancashire, so I’m back there all the time - it always feels like coming home. There’s something nostalgic about it, which is probably why ‘Laid’ resonates so much with me. I love a mooch and a coffee around Birkacre Garden Centre with my mum.

“‘Laid’ is my take on James’ indie classic - reimagined as a melodic house anthem for 2026. The original was this beautifully messy, chaotic love song, and I wanted to turn that energy into something you can lose yourself in on a dancefloor. It’s about obsession, chaos, and that moment when someone gets under your skin, and you can’t shake them - we’ve all been there.

“If you’re from Lancashire, stream it and let’s show what we can do. Let’s get this one to the top!”

‘Laid’ was released on May 8, 2026 and is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and ITunes.

The track will have its a live debut at Pride in Trafford (HomoGrown) on Sunday, May 10 2026.