Manic Street Preachers have released the first track from their forthcoming 14th studio album – and announced an autumn UK tour.
Orwellian is the first taste of The Ultra Vivid Lament, which will be released on September 3 on Columbia/Sony.
The band says the track “is about the battle to claim meaning, the erasing of context within debate, the overriding sense of factional conflict driven by digital platforms leading to a perpetual state of culture war.”
As with many songs on the record, it was written on the piano by frontman James Dean Bradfield.
The band say it “felt like the perfect sonic and lyrical introduction to The Ultra Vivid Lament”.
The album has 11 tracks which perfectly marry introspection, quiet rage and sublime, irresistible tunes.
Musically, it’s inspired by a formative years record box featuring ABBA, post-Eno Roxy, the Bunnymen, Fables-era REM and Lodger.
However, the end result could only be the unique sound made by James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore.
Piano man
The Ultra Vivid Lament is the first Manic Street Preachers album written on piano rather than guitar.
It was recorded over winter 2020-21 at Rockfield in Monmouth and the band’s Door To The River studio in Newport.
Working with longtime collaborator Dave Eringa, the Manics then mixed with David Wrench (Blossoms, Arlo Parks).
The album features two guest vocalists: Julia Cumming (Sunflower Bean) on The Secret He Had Missed and Mark Lanegan on Blank Diary Entry.
There are exclusive signed copies, picture disc vinyl and cassette on the official store, and other exclusives at HMV and Amazon.
UK tour dates
Following Manic Street Preachers’ longest enforced break, they will embark on a 14-date cross-country tour.
They will also play previously announced festival shows. Support on all headline shows comes from The Anchoress (except Wembley).
Pre-order The Ultra Vivid Lament from the official store HERE to get early access to tickets for the tour.
Tickets pre-sale starts on Wednesday May 19 at 10am, with general sale beginning on Friday May 21 HERE.
Manic Street Preachers Autumn 2021 Tour Dates
26 September NEWCASTLE, O2 City Hall
28 September EDINBURGH, Usher Hall
29 September DUNDEE, Caird Hall
1 October STOKE-ON-TRENT, Victoria Hall
2 October MANCHESTER, O2 Apollo
4 October YORK, Barbican
5 October GLASGOW, Barrowland
7 October LEEDS, O2 Academy
8 October PORTSMOUTH, Guildhall
10 October BOURNEMOUTH, O2 Academy
11 October CAMBRIDGE, Corn Exchange
13 October BATH, Forum
14 October BRIGHTON, Dome
3 December LONDON, The SSE Arena, Wembley
Previously Announced Shows:
16 July CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena (NHS workers show)
17 July CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena (NHS public show)
30 July PIKEHALL, Y Not Festival
7 August LINLITHGOW, Party At The Palace
29 August ALCESTER, Camper Calling Music Festival
10 September HALIFAX, Live at Piece Hall
18 September JERSEY, Electric Park Festival
