Taking to social media, Madness revealed their official album artwork alongside the caption:

“‘Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C’est La Vie’, our new album, available to pre-order/pre-save now […] Featuring no less than 14 songs (and some other surprises!), it comes out on 17th November. […] Meanwhile, this Thursday, you’ll be able to hear 3 tracks from the album on all the usual streaming services!”

The news comes in tandem with brand-new lead single “C’est La Vie”, which the legendary group recently teased in a video featuring Dame Helen Mirren. In an unlikely collaboration, the Oscar-winning actress delivers her own spoken-word interpretation of the song, reading the lyrics directly into the camera.

Watch Helen Mirren’s dramatic reading below:

“C’est La Vie” provides a taster of what is to come, treating fans to the classic quirky sound that shot Madness to stardom in the 1980s, when they enjoyed a prolific run of hits including “Our House” and “Baggy Trousers”. Emerging from their seven-year studio hiatus rejuvenated, and with a fresh bounce in their step, the group reflects on the struggles of everyday life over surfy guitar riffs and a gnarly horn section.

Listen to “C’est La Vie” below:

In their press statement, Madness said: 

“Well, well, well, here we are… our 13th album (lucky for some). ‘Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C’est La Vie’ is ready for your ears. For us, recording it was the perfect antidote to the chaos of the past few years – we were all there, properly in the zone. It was just us, in an industrial unit in Cricklewood, playing together. We loved it!”

Another unexpected collaboration comes in the form of Emmy and BAFTA Awards winning actor Martin Freeman, who contributed a special prologue to the new album. His longstanding admiration for Madness led to their partnership when the band’s manager recognised Freeman in a meet and greet queue and introduced him to the members.

Madness take their new record on the road in November and December for their previously-announced C’est La Vie UK tour, with support from The Lightning Seeds.

See below for dates:

30/11/2023 – P&J Live – Aberdeen
01/12 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow
02/12 – Utility Arena – Newcastle
04/12 – Utility Arena – Cardiff
05/12 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
07/12 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
08/12 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
09/12 – AO Arena – Manchester
11/12 – Brighton Centre – Brighton
12/12 – International Centre – Bournemouth
14/12 – Utility Arena – Sheffield
15/12 – O2 Arena – London
16/12 – Utility Arena – Birmingham

Get tickets here.

Pre-order Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C’est La Vie here.