All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade is a follow up to 2015’s Anthems For A Doomed Youth, representing a long 8 year wait for the band to release a new full length album. The lead single ‘Run, Run, Run’ is sonically a throwback to classic Libertines tracks from their breakout albums in the noughties, however lyrically speaks of the dangers of grabbing towards that past. Frontman Carl Barat spoke about the track, as he said: “It’s about being trapped, and trying to escape your dismal life, a bit like the man in Bukowski’s Post Office, the worst thing for The Libertines would be to get stuck in a ‘Run-run-run’ rut – constantly trying to relive our past.”

The new album consists of 11 tracks and was produced by Dimitri Tikovoï, who has previously worked with the likes of Charli XCX. The band recorded the album at The Albion Rooms in Margate in only four weeks across February and March earlier this year. The band then finished up the album at La Ferme de Gestein Studios in Normandy, France. The new album was mixed by Dan Grech-Marguerat, who has worked with likes of Paul McCartney and Liam Gallagher.

As previously reported, the band had begun working on the album in Jamaica before heading back to Margate to create and bring the album to it complete form. Co-frontman Pete Doherty spoke of the sessions, as he said: “We really came together as a band for a moment of rare peace and unity, with all the members contributing.”

Talking further about the new album, Pete Doherty said: “I feel like we’ve completed a cycle of some kind as a band, and finally now we can add these songs to the setlist, because we’ve got some bangers in there. Now we’ve opened the hotel and used the studio ourselves and it’s all worked out – more Libertines records? I should hope so!”

Carl Barat also added: “Our first record was born out of panic, and disbelief that we were actually allowed to be in a studio; the second was born of total strife and misery; the third was born of complexity; this one feels like we were all actually in the same place, at the same speed, and we really connected.”

The album shares a name with an anti-war novel from Erich Maria Remarque and the album artwork is a tribute to Margate, representing the location of which the album was recorded. All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade will be available on CD, Deluxe, 12” Vinyl, Deluxe Double Vinyl and Cassette on March 8^th, and will also be available for digital download and on streaming services.

Tracklist:

1. ‘Run Run Run’
2. ‘Mustang’
3. ‘Have A Friend’
4. ‘Merry Old England’
5. ‘Man With The Melody’
6. ‘Oh Shit’
7. ‘Night Of The Hunter’
8. ‘Baron’s Claw’
9. ‘Shiver’
10. ‘Be Young’
11. ‘Songs They Never Play On The Radio’

Speaking in an interview with Oliver Spencer, the drummer detailed some of the band’s process in recording the album and exactly when it should be available.

In the interview he said: “We’ve just recorded our latest album. I think we do one every 10 years or so. Yes. So expect the next one to come from the grave! The album comes out in January [2024].”

The timeline adds up considering it was reported that the band was recording in Jamaica some time last year (2022). In an interview, guitarist Pete Doherty said: “We have just been in Jamaica, me and Carl, and we’ve got a new album on the way.”

Drummer Powell has previously spoken a lot about the next Libertines album, as he has said: “The good thing is everybody’s been writing. Obviously, we’re not going to try and reinvent the wheel… but I think we can push the boat out a little more while still bringing something that has the same emotional integrity and dynamism that the audience craves when they come to a Libertines show.”

About the next album, Doherty during a performance at Glastonbury told the crowd: “There are lots of things on the table – some really good, strong and melodic rock’n’roll songs.”

Frontman Carl Barat has also previously spoken about the next album, as he said: “Sonically, we want to do something we haven’t done before… I think we’ll be looking to do something with a different energy than before. But we’re not at that stage yet.”

The band started work on the new album in 2019, as the band expressed interest in taking the album into many different musical directions with Pete Doherty likening the album’s potential sonic diversity to Sardinstra by The Clash – he said: “Carl wants to do a ‘Sandinista’ thing with all these mad ideas that we’ve got, so we’ll have all these freestyle things and folky things, then there’s the more traditional Doherty/Barat songs,”

One new song has been detailed by the band; a track named ‘Shiver’ which the band seem particularly fond of. About the song, Doherty said the track has “got a real sentimental hark back”, which must mean a stylistic return to old-school Libertines tracks. Co-frontman Barat was in agreement, claiming “Yeah, ‘Shiver’’s great. I was listening to that last night, actually.”

The video deals with the uncomfortable, and oftentimes destructive relationship the band has had with the media. It features frontmen Pete Doherty and Carl Barât torturing replicas of themselves in a viewing box as a cycle of audience members pay to watch the self-destruction unfold. Doherty feeds himself crack then progresses to heroin, while Barât abuses cocaine and whiskey, smashing the bottle in a bloody finale (referencing a time he almost blinded himself in 2003). Bandmates John Hassall and Gary Powell can only watch on as their friends abuse themselves to the entertainment of strangers.

You can watch the video below:

‘Anthems for Doomed Youth’, released earlier this month (11th September), marked a comeback for the group as their first album in 11 years. The band had split amidst controversy surrounding Doherty’s addiction to heroine and crack, exacerbated by intense media scrutiny.

Talking to NME the music video’s director Roger Sargent explained the concept of the video saying:

“The Libertines have never been a band to lack candour or bravery… almost to a fault. Their honesty, their friendship, has played out in the public domain often with catastrophic consequences. In “Heart Of The Matter,” Peter and Carl reflectively talk about the damage and abuse they have caused themselves over the years, openly mystified that they have survived thus far.”

He went on to say “It’s a catharsis, a bleak, bold and brave one. To that end, when we talked about making the video for the song we all felt it had to be similarly honest. The unsettling subjects could not be shied away from. On the contrary, these had to be faced head on.”

The Libertines are on tour in January 2016, with tickets available 9am on Friday (25th September) or right now through O2 Priority.

Tour dates:

Powell also revealed that one planned practice session in Hamburg was disrupted after Pete Doherty drove the band away from their rehearsal space in the camper van he currently lives in. The band also performed two warm-up gigs in Glasgow without rehearsing prior to the shows according to a new interview in Mojo magazine.

The band were planning to rehearse on the morning of the Hyde Park gig but Carl Barat flew from Paris to London the day before the gig after, “realising it was probably what the occasion demanded”. Speaking after the Hyde Park show, he said, “I’m not sure if it was a triumph but it was certainly unpredictable, as most things with this always band are.”

The Libertines’ next UK dates come in September when the band will play three gigs at Alexandra Palace. Support across the trio of shows will come from Peace, Swim Deep and Circa Waves. They will then play a run of European gigs.

The Libertines will play:

26th-28th September – London Alexandra Palace
30th September – Paris Zenith
2nd October – Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall
3rd October – Brussels FN Club
4th October – Berlin Columbiahalle
5th October – Dusseldorf Mitsubishi Electric Halle

Get your tickets here.

When speaking to The Daily Star in an interview published today, Doherty explained that he has “caused so much crap” because of his drug taking. “I would like to get rid of the damn drugs,” he stated. “It’s no longer fun. On the contrary, it’s just shit and kills all my creativity. But it’s difficult to stop. My past life is a fucking mess, a real mess.”

Whilst admitting remorse for his life decisions, Doherty claimed that he doesn’t “believe in regrets – ’cause that offers nothing – but clearly some things I would like to change. I wish I had better contact with my family. I have caused so much crap.”

The Libertines will perform live at Hyde Park on July 5th as part of British Summer Time, grab your tickets here.

The 4-piece band split after playing at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2010 and have not been re-united on stage since. This singular Facebook post, however, has got fans far more excited than they have been in the last 4 years. Pete Doherty has recently spoken of his financial troubles which would surely be a considerable factor in his motivation to once again spark up The Libertines.

Israeli newspaper Ynet published a supposed interview with the frontman in which he is alleged to have stated “I don’t know if I’m supposed to even tell you this, but we were offered to reform the Libertines for a show this July in Hyde Park. I got the call just yesterday”. The interview continues with Doherty claiming that he has been unable to contact guitarist Carl Barat but the rumour fires have already been sufficiently fuelled and it would take a definitive press statement from the band to disprove said rumours.

Hyde Park seems a logical venue choice for the band with an undeniable London sense of swagger and any reunion that takes place would certainly not be undertaken in half measures. With each member undertaking various ventures in the time of, perhaps now that they have clearer schedules a reunion may seem like the next logical step.

Pete Doherty and the Babyshamble boys have returned to our ears after an absence of six years.  New album Sequel To The Prequel was released yesterday and features a host of top notch songs showing off Pete’s undeniable talent for song writing and unlike albums of the past delivers songs packed full of optimism, with one running theme across the album being Pete’s desire to hold his head high.

The talent of the babyshambles and Pete’s former band the Libertines have often been somewhat overlooked due to the front man’s various high profiles run-ins with the law, and his constant battle with drug abuse. The singer however has yet again delivered the goods on their latest record with a number of songs sure to please fans and critics alike.

Songs Farmers Daughter and Nothing Comes to Nothing are stand out numbers of the album both showing the 34 year olds still got his creative spark, and theres even a song about visiting the zoo. The boys will be playing a host of songs across the UK this autumn so don’t miss your chance to see one of the most controversial and talented frontmen in Rock n Roll today.

                Sep 04   Barrowland Glasgow

                Sep 05   O2 Academy Newcastle                               

                Sep 06   O2 Academy Leeds        

                Sep 07   Manchester Academy                  

                Sep 09   O2 Academy Liverpool  

                Sep 10   Engine Shed Lincoln       

                Sep 11   O2 Academy Bristol        

                Sep 13   O2 Academy Oxford                      

                Sep 14   O2 Academy Brixton                      

                Sep 15   Cardiff University Students Union                           

                Sep 16   Norwich UEA                    

                Oct 03   Zenith Paris                       

                Oct 10   Leadmill Sheffield           

                Oct 11   The Forum, Hertfordshire Hatfield

                Oct 12   Leamington Spa Assembly Leamington Spa         

                Oct 14   O2 Academy Birmingham Birmingham

                Oct 15   O2 Academy Leicester Leicester               

                Oct 17   Junction Cambridge

                Oct 18   Leas Cliff Hall Folkestone             

                Oct 20   Great Hall University Of Exeter 

                Oct 21   O2 Academy Bournemouth

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