Don’t forget the best bits. https://t.co/np0RxRQ5rJ pic.twitter.com/O2KWcS7x53

— Franz Ferdinand (@Franz_Ferdinand) October 29, 2021

The video posts show Spotify stream and if you search for an artist ‘The New Scottish Gentry’, you’ll find a song called “Don’t Forget The Best Bits”. If you listen to it below, you can definitely recognise the vocal of Franz Ferdinand’s frontman Alex Kapranos. Last night, 31st October the band posted another video teaser with a background sound of a ticking clock and the caption “November 2nd“. The eight-second clip is another monochromatic video showing a man’s face losing his eyeball and staring at a cracked mirror. It also shows a stomping boot, the same as in the first teaser.

November 2nd. https://t.co/np0RxRQ5rJ pic.twitter.com/rn3Qjghu16 — Franz Ferdinand (@Franz_Ferdinand) October 31, 2021

Last week Franz Ferdinand announced the departure of their drummer Paul Thomson. “Hello world. Paul is leaving the band. It was a bit of a shocker for us when we found out, so it probably will be for some of you too” the band shared on social media. 

They have chosen Audrey Tait as a replacement: “we’re happy to say that one of the other best drummers in the world is joining us. Many of you in Glasgow will already know what an incredible musician Audrey Tait is and we’re thrilled to have her join us. It feels totally natural playing with her and she’s a great laugh. It has been electrifying being in the studio together and we can’t wait to play live for you all“. 

Last summer frontman Alex Kapranos said in an interview with NME: “I made a rule with myself after our third album that I would never say too much about it beforehand“.

“What happens is that when you write and develop songs, it’s not a straight path. I did an interview before our third album [2009’s ‘Tonight’] where I described it as ‘extremely pop’ – but then we totally veered away from that. All I’ll say is that we have songs and I really enjoy playing them!”.

If the new single “Don’t Forget The Best Bits” is released tomorrow it will be the band’s first one without the latest drummer Thomson. The last album from Franz Ferdinand was Always Ascending from 2018 that peaked at No 6 in the UK Charts.

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The concert will be presented by Free Radio, a network which caters for chart music and popular hits. The radio station is available throughout the West Midlands and features a full roster of presenters, including former Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson. The event is set to return with a bang this year and will be celebrating its tenth year. This year’s event will surely make up for lost time after COVID restrictions forced its cancellation last year.

The 30-year-old singer will perform at the concert at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena along with a collection of music’s most popular artists. Acts that have been previously confirmed to perform include Tom Grennan, Becky Hill, Anne-Maire, Dermot Kennedy, Mabel, James Arthur, KST and Rag’n’Bone Man.

The station took to their Twitter page to announce the concert’s full  line-up.

Here’s your #HitsLive 2021 lineup! We can’t wait to party with you THREE WEEKS TODAY! @dermotkennedy @jamesarthur23 @mabel @ragnboneman @annemarie @ksi #jesynelson @beckyhill & @tom.grennan are gonna be there. Are you?

Get your tickets now! https://t.co/EcpijioSok pic.twitter.com/hXAfjRZp6W

— Free Radio (@wearefreeradio) October 30, 2021

The 2021 concert will be held over two dates, with the second concert held at M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on 19th November 2021. Acts that have been announced to play include The Script, Years & Years, Ella Henderson and “Bad Habits” singer Ed Sheeran. On 11th November 2022, the concert is set to return for an event in Manchester, further details have yet to be announced.

Nelson has provided the following statement concerning her upcoming performance, “Birmingham crowds are always amazing so I’m really excited to get there and perform for this really special event. Hits Live is one huge night of amazing acts and incredible music. I’m so excited to be in an arena watching live music after being deprived of it for so long. I can’t wait to party with all of you. See you there!”

Following her split from Little Mix, the singer recently released her first solo single, “Boyz”. The track was released on 8th October 2021 and featured rapper Nicki Minaj. During its debut week, it reached number four within the UK Singles Chart and became Nelson’s first solo top 10 hit. The single also found success within other charts, earlier in the month OfficialCharts.com confirmed that the single climbed to the top of the Official Trending Chart. The single heavily utilised a sample from P.Diddy’s 2001 hit “Bad Boys For Life”, Nelson also used the track’s music video as inspiration for her own. The production for the music video was reportedly delayed so that P.Diddy could make a cameo, the megastar can be seen in the video as Nelson’s neighbour.

In recent news, on Friday 29th October 2021 the singer appeared on the Graham Norton Show to promote her new single. Within the interview, the former Little Mix member discussed her relationship with the remaining members and stated that they are no longer in communication. Nelson said, “We’re not talking any more. It is sad but honestly there is no bad blood from my side, and I still love them to pieces and genuinely wish them all the best. I loved my time with them, and we’ve got the most incredible memories together, but it’s just one of those things which needs to take time, so who knows.” Along with her honesty fans applauded Nelson for not discrediting her former bandmates. The singer further confirmed to Norton that there is no bad blood, stating “To me they are still the sickest girl band in the world.”

Tickets for the Birmingham concert are available now. However, tickets for the Liverpool show have now sold out.

Click here to buy tickets.

The singer took to her Instagram to announce the news of her new release, the post’s caption also describes her musical process during the pandemic.

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A post shared by Lizzie Lieberson (@lizzieloveless)

The single release was accompanied by a music video by Charles Billot, the video perfectly reflects the simple but beautiful melodies and instrumentation used within the new track. A statement from the press release describes the video. “The video is moody and intense, with Lizzie singing from a black void and closeups of water and rope on skin, falling in a billowing white dress.”

The former member of alt-rock band TEEN has also released her new solo album You Don’t Know via Egghunt Records. The album has been received well critically, Chris Ingalls from PopMatters has provided the following review, “a ten-song sampler of sophisticated, layered pop. Each track veers off into slightly different sonic territory while remaining remarkably cogent and consistent.”

Born as Lizzie Lieberson, the New York-based artist’s first solo album has been five years in the making. The singer-songwriter has been using her experiences as a working musician within former band TEEN. Formed with her sisters, the group were active between 2010-2019 and released four studio albums. Along with her experiences on the road, Lieberson also uses lessons learnt from past relationships and along with an optimistic attitude the young artist is now ready to release her musical rebirth.

A statement from the press release describes the artist’s creative process. “Lieberson has been quietly piecing together ideas and compositions for You Don’t Know, writing in-between her hectic TEEN schedule, whether it was in an old apartment in NYC, under the watchful gaze of the redwoods in California or immersed in the stunning natural beauty of her hometown in Halifax, Nova Scotia. While the record comes with the heaviness of heartache, there’s a cathartic charge under a blanket of electronic soundscapes that allow Lieberson’s meditations to manifest with a hopeful flourish.”

On three of the album’s tracks, the artist has worked with Daniel Schlett, a former collaborator with TEEN. The duo recorded their tracks at Brooklyn’s Strange Weather Studio, the singer describes Schlett in the press release as a “completely special producer” who has “musical instincts and ideas that are always interesting and exciting“.

On the rest of the album, Lieberson co-produced the tracks with Miles Francis within his Greenwich Village recording studio. The singer has described their working relationship within the press release, “I’ve never made music with someone I’m in love with and it’s been one of the more special experiences in my life” the singer continues to describe his process “His musical voice, contribution and support is enormous on this record and in my life.” The pair also recorded with Lieberson’s mother, the duo recorded Lizzie’s mother playing the mandolin for several tracks at Lieberson’s hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Musical talent clearly runs in the family, Lizzie and her sisters are the daughters of celebrated composer Peter Lieberson.

Including “You Don’t Know“, the album has sired five singles, its first single, “Loveless” was released on 4th May 2021. A statement from the press release describes the single, “Loveless is a song inspired by a fever dream. It’s about spiraling out of control in your love for someone.”. On 22nd June 2021, the next single “Window” was released along with the option to pre-order the album, “The Joke” was next to be released on 20th July 2021 and was also accompanied by a music video. The album’s next release was the single “Memory” which was released on 24th August 2021, the press release provides a depiction for the track “Memory asks the question where does love go when it’s been lost? Does it get reabsorbed and hide somewhere in the body.?”

Photo Credit: Charles Billot

Click here to Download/Stream You Don’t Know.

The new single released via Seattle Surf/Republic Records sees Vedder work with producer Andrew Watt. “Long Way” marks the first collaboration between Vedder and the American producer, Watt can also be heard playing guitar and bass on the new track. Often known as WATT, the 30-year-old producer has worked with some of music’s most popular artists including Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Rita Ora.

The press release for the new single describes the duo’s partnership: “Vedder’s iconic vocals shine through as Watt’s production drives home the emotions of the track.” Other iconic musicians have also lent their talents to Vedder’s new track including Benmont Tench member of American rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Tench lends his skills via a Hammond B3 organ, Josh Linghoffer former Red Hot Chili Peppers’ guitarist plays guitar and piano, the song’s percussion is supplied by Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.

“Long Way” is the first song to be taken from the frontman’s upcoming new solo album Earthling, the singer’s new album has not yet been given a release date. The new album will follow Vedder’s 2020 solo EP Matter of Time and the original soundtrack for motion picture Flag Day released on 20th August 2021. Within the soundtrack, Vedder has collaborated with Glen Hansard on eight new compositions for the film’s soundtrack. The soundtrack for Flag Day boasts an impressive roster of further collaborators including celebrated singer-songwriter Cat Power, Power works with Vedder and Hansard on three new tracks and a cover.

The soundtrack also features Vedder’s daughter Olivia Vedder, Vedder makes her musical debut on two tracks. Released via Seattle Surf and Republic Records, the new soundtrack is available from all streaming services and is also able to pre-order on wax via PearlJam.com’s shop.

Hansard is no stranger to soundtrack work, the 51-year-old artist is best known for his appearance in the BAFTA award-winning motion picture The Commitments. Based on the 1987 novel by Roddy Boyle, the story was adapted for the big screen by Alan Parker and told the tale of an Irish Soul band, the film was released in 1991 and has since acquired a cult following. Since its release, the film’s soundtrack has become a critical and commercial success and a second instalment was released a year after. Vedder is also known for his work within Soundtracks and film scoring, in 2007 the “Even Flow” singer penned the soundtrack for Into The Wild. The soundtrack was released on 18^th September 2007 via J Records and not only marked the singer’s first soundtrack release but also marked his debut solo album release.

Along with the news of his new single Vedder has also announced that pre-order sales for a special limited edition 7-inch Vinyl for “Long Way” are now open, fans will be able to pre-order the new single in this allusive format, the Vinyl release will also include another new song “The Haves”. The Vinyl release will also include a digital download and is available to pre-order through Pearl Jam’s Ten Club fan organization.

Vedder will be hitting the road this year with his legendary band Pearl Jam, the group will play the festival Sea.Hear.Now held at Asbury Park, NY on 18th-19th September 2021. The band will also appear at other festivals, Ohana Festival on 26th September 2021 and Ohana Festival’s Encore Weekend held on 1st-2nd October 2021. Vedder will also perform a solo set at Ohana Festival on 25th September 2021, the event is held at Dana Point, CA.

Click here to listen to “Long Way“.

Click here to pre-order “Long Way” Special edition Vinyl.

Click here to listen to Flag Day Soundtrack.

Click here to pre-order Flag Day Soundtrack on Vinyl.

The band took to their Instagram to announce the news to fans.

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A post shared by Big Thief (@bigthiefmusic)

The single’s press release describes the new material as “a track that showcases the most innate parts of Big Thief: the human journey, real love, and the raw emotions that accompany the two.” The Brooklyn rockers are formed of four members all Berklee College of Music alum and consist of members Adrianne Lenker on vocals and guitars, Buck Meek on guitar and backing vocals, Max Oleartchik on bass and James Krivchenia on drums.

The group’s new offering of music not only showcases’ a personal portrait of the group but also cements their heartfelt folk roots. Along with classic light guitar lines and powerfully emotive vocals, the group’s new single also features harmonies courtesy of American singer Hannah Cohen. The New York-based band recorded the track under unusual circumstances, whilst recording at the upstate New York facilities Sam Evian’s Flying Cloud Studios the group encountered a power cut that lasted for three days. Due to this, the track was recorded directly on a four-track. A format that has been made somewhat redundant due to the newer technological advances in multitrack recording.

Within the new single’s press release Buck Meek recounts the power outage and describes the process taken to proceed with the recording. “On the third day of the outage, I found Adrianne on the porch writing a new song, so I sat with her and we finished it together, with the rain falling from the gutters splashing over our guitars,. James and Sam saw us writing, and quickly set up a four track tape machine in the kitchen, powered by the F250 cigarette lighter out in the yard. They set up the drums by the sink, and Max plugged his bass into a bluetooth speaker set on top of the stove. Take 2 had a great bark from Sam and Hannah’s pup Jan during the solo, but we ended up going with take 3 because it took us about that long to learn the chords. Then we made pancakes and sausages and ate breakfast for dinner.”

“Certainty” is not the band’s only release since their 2019 album Two Hands. Big Thief recently released two songs, “Little Things” and “Sparrow”, both were recorded in 2020 and produced by the group’s drummer James Krivchenia. Although both tracks were finalised last year the former was recorded in California and “Sparrow” was recorded in the Catskills, located in the band’s home city of New York.

Krivchenia had this to say concerning the track “Little Things”, the drummer describes the song’s musical process. “It’s in this sort of evolving free time signature where the beat is always changing, so Max [Oleartchik, bassist] and I were just flowing with it and guessing where the downbeats were – which gives the groove a really cool light feeling.” He has also given this description concerning “Sparrow”. “We all just scattered about the room without headphones, focused and in the music – you could feel that something special was happening. It was a funny instrumentation that had a really cool natural arrangement chemistry – Max on piano, Buck [Meek, guitarist/vocalist] providing this dark ambience, me on floor tom and snare and Adrianne in the middle of it with the acoustic and singing.”

Along with the release of their new material, the group have also announced the dates for their month-long US tour which progresses into Europe and the UK. The tour started yesterday, the release date for “Certainty” and began with a performance in Louisville. The schedule includes upcoming various dates across the US and continues until 2022 with dates in Manchester, Glasgow and London.

Big Thief UK Tour Dates

24/02/2022 – Manchester Academy – Manchester
25/02 – O2 Academy Bristol – Glasgow
02/03 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – London
03/03 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – London
04/03 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – London

Photo Credit: Alexa Viscius/Press Release

The press release has provided the following description for the new release. “Mimik is a sprawling transmission of static and beats and guitars. An ode to the spaces we used to be able to inhabit without quite so much existential dread… or perhaps it’s a broadcast from a messier but better future? Can both be true?.” Fans who are already subscribers will automatically receive a download for “Mink”, there is still time to subscribe to receive the download as a subscriber. As well as the new EP subscribers also get access to bonus features, the new release is also available from the band’s Bandcamp.

The group’s new release is the most recent offering from their Wreckage Systems series, the band’s new project is a powerhouse of creativity and information. The series aims to document and share the research which has accumulated from the band’s music and process. The project which was birthed in March is assessable through the Patreon powered backchannel. Version one of the series’ stream has been left online for all to enjoy, click here to access the stream. A second live stream has now been made available to watch which documents the development of Version Two of the project. For more information concerning the series’ updates and exclusive behind the scenes content head over to www.wreckage.systems.

The Wreckage Systems Release Archive can be found on Bandcamp, subscribers can access them for free directly via Patreon and the download codes for Bandcamp. Also included within the series are musical process guides entitled The Wreckage Systems Technical Overview series described by the press release as. “An epic, sprawling, multi-part deconstruction of the infrastructure and various moving parts of how we make the Wreckage Systems stream. With diagrams”. Other resources such as the Annotated Max Patches are also assessable by fans, the tools are a vital download for electronic artists or music fans curious to learn about the group’s process and genre of music. Other individualistic resources intended for educational purposes include mini-essays written about the band’s musical process and the birth of the Wreckage Systems series. One particular essay entitled “A Manifesto for Guerrilla Rewilding” reads like an extended metaphor based on a quote from legendary producer Brian Eno, Eno describes writing generative music as planting imaginative seeds. Generative music is a term that was popularized by the producer and it is used to describe music that is created via a system that is always different and forever changing.

The series remains free but an option to donate is available starting at £5 a month. The press release has given the following brief regarding the group’s ongoing project. “So as you can see, with the Wreckage Systems project, the emphasis is on documenting and sharing ongoing research, development, and reflections on what you could call the ‘non-traditional’ or ‘experimental’ or ‘uh….what?’ side of how 65daysofstatic stubbornly continues to explore the hinterlands of what bands can be.”

UK fans will be able to see the band’s new material live very soon, after much uncertainty 65daysofstatic will be returning to London to perform three live shows. Full details can be found below, fans will see that the London and Manchester shows have changed venues. Unfortunately for Russian fans, the October shows have been postponed again but luckily May 2022 dates have been announced.

Click here to become a subscriber.

Click here to watch the Wreckage Systems Streams via YouTube and here to watch via the site.

65daysofstatic UK tour dates

11/11/2021 – Islington Assembly Hall – London
12/11 – Gorilla – Manchester
13/11 – Summer Hall – Edinburgh

The “Shout Out To My Ex” singers took to their Instagram to announce the news to their fans.

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A post shared by Little Mix (@littlemix)

Between Us marks the group’s first album release since the departure of former member Jesy Nelson, the band’s fourth member announced that she would be leaving the group last year. The recently made trio consisting of members Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards, celebrated the 10th anniversary of their formation with the announcement of their new seventh studio album. The new release is not just a greatest hits album but will also feature five new unreleased tracks. Other material included within the album will further celebrate the group’s history, video footage from the group’s initial formation and musical birth within the televised talent show X Factor in 2011 will be also featured on the new album.

Within a press release, Edwards has provided the following statement concerning the upcoming release. “We can’t believe it has been 10 years. Time has flown, and when you look back we have done so much that we’re super proud of.” Thirlwall also commented on the band’s storied musical past. “It’s going to be great to have all our big hits as a band on one album for the first time, celebrating 10 massive years of Little Mix. The tracks also show how much we have grown as artists, from ‘Wings’ to ‘Heartbreak Anthem’.” Pinnock provided her own statement expressing her excitement concerning the release’s new material. “We’re also really excited to release five brand new Little Mix songs that we’ve been creating. We can’t wait for our fans to hear the new tracks we’ve been working on. We hope they love them as much as we do!”

Little Mix rose to fame as contestants within the X-Factor, the then quartet stole the show with their winning song “Cannonball”. Before their formation the four singers originally auditioned as solo artists but were brought together and became one of the biggest girl groups in the millennium. Since their emergence the group has released six studio albums, their most recent album Confetti was released on 6th November 2020 via RCA Records. The album reached number two within the UK Album charts and sired four singles. The album’s third single “Sweet Melody” reached the top of the UK singles charts and has been certified platinum within the UK. The last single “Confetti” was released on 4th November 2020 and marked the first-ever release without Nelson, the single was later released again as a remix with American rapper Saweetie on 30th April 2021.

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A post shared by @jesynelson

Ex-band member Nelson left the group after nine years of performing alongside her bandmates and cited her mental health due to the reason for her departure. Nelson has also announced the news of her new release, the singer has teased news for her debut solo single. The now solo artist has posted on Instagram alluding to the name of the new single, “Boyz” alongside a previous post stating this is a new chapter for the artist.

Eilish has spoken to OfficialCharts.com concerning her recent win and thanked her UK fans for their support: “thank you so so much to my fans in the UK. it means so much to me that you guys love this album like i do. i miss you guys so much and can’t wait to come back to the UK soon!!”

The ‘Bad Guy’ singer’s second studio album clinched the top spot with 39,000 chat sales with 33% of the sales via streams. Along with Eilish’s first number one debut album ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’, the singer has become the first international female artist to win the award in seven years. The last artist to hold the title was American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, the artist’s two number one albums ‘Born To Die’ and ‘Ultraviolence’ secured the award for Del Rey prior to Eilish.

Eilish’s second album also achieved an impressive record within the Vinyl chart, 61% of the release’s sales were on physical formats Vinyl, cassette and CD. With 9,500 Vinyl sales, the album has become the millennium’s third-fasted selling release on wax. Despite its high sales count the release has not beaten out Lana Del Rey’s eighth studio album ‘Chemtrails Over The Country Club’ which reached 16,700 sales and pop princess Kylie Minogue’s fifteenth studio album ‘Disco’ which sired 13,500 sales.

The singer took to her Twitter to post a behind-the-scenes look for the album’s title track’s music video, ‘Happier Than Ever‘.

Go behind the scenes of Billie’s “Happier Than Ever” music video. https://t.co/8qWSYhj6dM pic.twitter.com/KpgujrxixA

— billie eilish (@billieeilish) August 7, 2021

The new release has ignited Eilish’s chart sales as her debut studio album ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ has re-entered the UK charts, the 2019 album charted at number thirty-six this week. Much like the singer’s debut album, ‘Happier Than Ever’ was also co-written with her producer brother Finneas O’Connell. Released on 30th July 2021 Eilish has cited the recent COVID-19 crisis and pandemic as the inspiration behind the number one album. The album has sired five singles, the first being the lead single ‘My Future’ released a year before the album’s release on 30th July 2020. The most successful single was ‘Therefore I Am’ released 12th November 2020, which reached number two within the UK singles charts.

Eilish is best known for her single ‘Bad Guy’ released on 29th March 2019, the single became a huge commercial and critical success and gave the artist her first number one chart position. The single has also received various certifications based on its large number of sales and gave the singer two highly respected accolades, the single received two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The music video which accompanied the single was also met with much praise, the video featured the 19-year-old singer performing various activities and included the famous nosebleed shot.

Elsewhere in the charts, last week’s number one release ‘We’re All Alone in This Together’ by British rapper Dave has dropped to number two. Despite the album’s drop in the album charts, the release has lasted as this week’s most-streamed album. Remaining at number three within this week’s album charts is ‘Sour’, the debut studio album by ‘Good 4 U’ singer Olivia Rodrigo.

UK fans will be able to see the singer’s new number album live in 2022. The singer’s ‘Happier Than Ever, The World Tour‘ will begin in American this autumn and will reach the UK next year.

Billie Eilish Ireland and UK Tour

03/06/2022 – The SSE Arena – Belfast
04/06 – 3Arena – Dublin
05/05 – 3Arena – Dublin
07/06 – AO Arena – Manchester
08/06 – AO Arena – Manchester
10/06 – The O2 – London
11/06 – The O2 – London
12/06 – The O2 – London
14/06 – The SSE Hydro – Glasgow
15/06 – Utilita Arena – Birmingham
16/06 – The O2 – London
25/06 – The O2 – London

The London born artist has released his new single entitled ‘Say What You Will’, the track was released yesterday via Republic Records and Polydor Records. The singer’s new single is already gaining traction through radio play, the track was recently played on the Annie Mac show, broadcasted on BBC Radio 1. The presenter made the song the show’s ‘Hottest Record in the World’, a title previously held by many successful records.

Blake has taken to his Instagram to thank fans and listeners for their support concerning his new single.

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A post shared by James Blake (@jamesblake)

The single’s release was also accompanied by a thought-provoking music video, the video features special star guest and fellow producer, American singer-songwriter Finneas. The 23-year-old artist is the brother of recording artist Billie Eilish with whom he has collaborated musically. Musical talent clearly runs in the family as Finneas has won eight Grammy awards, including such awards as Producer of the Year and Album of the year. He also won an award for his work on his sister’s 2019 debut album entitled ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’, for which he won the Non-classical award.

Blake has described the track’s meaning in the single’s press release, the singer relates the new track to finding his personal peace within his life and subsequent success, “The song is about finding peace with who you are and where you’re at regardless of how well other people seem to be doing. Comparison really is the thief of joy,” The song’s following lyrics also carry such themes with a tone of modesty, conveying a sense of tranquillity over the growing pressures of life. “I can find my way with no superpowers/ I can take my place without becoming sour/ I might not make those psychopaths proud/ At least I can see the faces of the smaller crowds,”

Along with the release of the singer’s new album’s lead single, Blake has also confirmed the release date of his new album. The artist’s fifth studio album entitled ‘Friends That Break Your Heart’ is set to be released on 10th September 2021. The album’s press release provides the following notes regarding the artwork, describing it as “a visual encapsulation of the emotions brought forth throughout the body of work,” The album’s artwork showcases the work of artist Miles Johnston, a UK artist known for his illustrations, predominately achieved using graphite and oils. The artist has taken to his Twitter to announce his excitement over his recent venture with Blake.

I’m so excited to finally share this! I was asked by one of my favorite musicians @jamesblake to design his album cover for the upcoming masterpiece “Friends that break your heart”. Really was a dream come true, painted in oils. Hope you dig! pic.twitter.com/cnABRjbkKw — Miles Johnston (@MilesJohnston) July 22, 2021

Blake has also teamed up with other artists on the musical aspect of the new release. The album will feature further collaborations with other performers, including Monica Martin, SwaVay, JID and American singer-songwriter and Grammy-nominated artist SZA. The singer’s new release will follow up on his last studio album, ‘Assume Form’, released in 2019 via Polydor Records. The fourth studio album gained an impressive accolade for the artist, Blake was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album for the 2020 Grammy Awards and received both critical and commercial success for its release.

The multitalented artist is no stranger to Grammy nominations; the singer was nominated for Best New Artist in 2014, which was awarded to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. The singer’s debut album, ‘James Blake’ was released in 2011 to critical acclaim, siring three singles and two more released from the album’s deluxe edition. His debut release was also nominated for an award, the album gave Blake his first Mercury Prize nomination in 2011 and was also shortlisted for the Brit Award Critics Choice Award. Blake would go on to win a Mercury Prize when he was again nominated in 2013 for his second studio album ‘Overgrown’ released the same year.

Blake is set to go on tour this year in support of his new album, where the singer will perform in 15 different cities, the tours dates and locations have been announced by the artist. Unfortunately for UK fans, the tour will take place in North America, but with September around the corner, UK fans will not have to wait long to hear the artist’s new material.

Click here to pre-order the album.

The band has been unofficially broken up since their initial split in 1975 after 6 years together. Ronnie Wood joined the group along with members from other bands during their early formation. Wood, also a member of The Rolling Stones since 1975, has revealed to The Sunday Times that the Faces have been working on new music along with new music with fellow Rolling Stone Mick Jagger. “I saw Mick [Jagger] here last week and Rod [Stewart] and Kenney [Jones] were here yesterday. Me and Mick have done nine new tracks for the [40th anniversary] re-release of ‘Tattoo You’. And me, Rod and Kenney have been recording some new Faces music. I’ve had a front-row seat on some amazing rock’n’roll projects these past couple of weeks.”

Faces were not just a supergroup but a collection of the era’s most talented musicians and songwriters. The group was formed in 1969 by the majority of the members from the 60’s rock band Small Faces famed for their era-defining tracks, ‘Itchycoo Park’ and ‘Lazy Sunday’. The group’s split was due to lead singer Steve Marriott departure to join Humble Pit.  The breakup led to the formation of Faces made up of the original lineup, Ronnie Lane on bass and vocals, Ian McLagen on keyboards and drummer and percussionist Kenney jones. The trio was then joined by members from the Jeff Beck Group, Ronnie Wood on guitar and lead vocalist Sir Rod Stewart, many will remember Stewart from his 1978 single ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’. But before his spandex-wearing days, Stewart was known for his gravelly vocals on Faces tracks such as the 1973 single ‘Ooh La La’.

Sir Rod Stewart has revealed what bonded himself and Wood together as friends and bandmates, the singer has stated that it was their noses and passion for fashion that propelled the friendship. “We introduced each other. I said, ”Ello Nose’ and he said, ”Ello Nose’. We both had big noses. I think what brought us together was our sense of clothing – we both liked style – and our unique sense of humour. That’s bonded us together over the years.”

However, during the recording of their final studio album ‘Ooh La La’, the band began to fall apart. One of the founding members, Lane decided to leave the group as he felt he was being pushed aside within the band’s hierarchy. The group replaced Lane with Tetsu Yamauchi as their bassist and continued with the new lineup. During the band’s last two years, they embarked on a yearlong tour and released the live album ‘Coast to Coast: Overture and Beginners’ released 10th January 1974 recorded on 17th October 1973 during a live show in California at Anaheim Arena. Further line-up changes would proceed to occur, Wood had released a couple of solo albums during this time and began to drift towards The Rolling Stone and went on tour with them in 1975. Wood had a fleeting replacement, Jesse Ed Davis, before the group’s eventual breakup.

The group have reunited several times after their breakup, in the late 1970s the group played together again but unfortunately without Lane due to the musician’s illness which forced him to retire in 1997. Lane would tragically die on 4th June 1997 due to pneumonia, whilst in the final stages of multiple sclerosis. Between the years 2010 and 2011 the surviving members went on a reunion tour with an altered lineup, Mick Hucknall from Simply Red on vocals and Glen Matlock playing bass and vocals. In 2012 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted both Faces and Small Faces, Hucknall replaced Stewart within the performance due to illness, Lane was also posthumously inducted. The group reunited again in 2015 for a charity event, the line-up consisted of original members Sir Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones. More recently, the group appeared at the 2020 Brit Awards as part of the closing performance, unfortunately, the group would not be joined by McLagen who tragically died on 3rd December 2014.

74-year-old musician, Wood, has been very busy so far this year, he is also working with fellow musician Mick Taylor on a new album. The musical pair have been recording a tribute album to Jimmy Reed, a Blues legend famed for his influential style. Wood spoke to The Sunday Times concerning his unique work ethic. “I go through art phases when music is secondary, but right now I really want to get out there and play.”