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Friday, October 24, 2025

Haircut 100 to unveil long-awaited new album next March

Haircut 100 announce a new album for 2026, an unexpected second chapter in the Haircut 100 story which gathered pace last year when their single ‘The Unloving Plum’ became Radio 2’s Record of the Week. 

Now that comeback steps up a gear as they announce that their new album Boxing The Compass will be released on March 20, 2026. They launch the album alongside the new single ‘Dynamite’ which premiered on Radio 2 and revealed details of their first full UK headline tour since 2023.

Pre-Order 'Boxing The Compass' here.

Boxing The Compass will be just the second album from the classic line-up since 1982’s hit platinum certified #2 record Pelican West (another album minus Nick Heywood, Paint and Paint, followed in 1984). 

Nick Heyward (vocals/guitar), Graham Jones (guitar) and Les Nemes (bass) had reconvened to discuss issues around the band, but that business meeting felt more like a reunion of old friends. Things soon snowballed from a comeback gig at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire to a full UK headline tour, with drummer Blair Cunningham also subsequently jumping back onboard.

Subsequent writing and recording sessions commenced with Sean Read (Dexys) at Famous Times studio in East London. 

Nick Heyward says, “‘Boxing the Compass’ is the traditional way of finding out where you are on land or sea using the compass rose. We’re arriving back at the port we left 43 years ago with a log of songs from our personal travels. Wherever I’ve been in the world, I’ve always been Nick Heyward of Haircut 100 and we’re all ready to set sail again for more adventures on the high seas."

Another new song, ‘Dynamite,’ was debuted throughout the band’s recent North American tour.

Nick adds, “‘Dynamite’ is about the day and the night and meeting via satellite. Whether it’s your soul mate, long lost family members, future friends, or your people. It’s about communication and how explosive it can be. It really is dynamite."

Boxing The Compass will be released on digital, CD and vinyl formats.

Track listing:

1. ‘Vanishing Point’
2. ‘The Unloving Plum’
3. ‘That’s a Start’
4. ‘Dynamite’
5. ‘Come Back To Me’
6. ‘Someone’
7. ‘A Wonderful Life’
8. ‘Soul Bird’
9. ‘Raincloud’
10. ‘Sunshine’

UK Tour Dates (on sale now):

May 2026
1 - London, Palladium
2 - Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre
3 - Poole, Lighthouse
7 - Cambridge, Corn Exchange
8 - York, Barbican
9 - Manchester, Albert Hall
10 - Glasgow, Pavilion Theatre
14 - Bath, Forum
15 - Bexhill, De La Warr Pavilion
16 - Basingstoke, Anvil
17 - Lincoln, Engine Shed

Friday, October 17, 2025

Album Review: 'Duets Special’ - Chrissie Hynde & Pals

Pretenders leader Chrissie Hynde has done several memorable duets over the years with UB40, Ray Davies, Cheap Trick, Cher & Neneh Cherry, and others. Now Hynde has done an entire album of them, Duets Special, with some intriguing pairings and track selections.

The project initially stemmed from a conversation a few years back about teaming up with Rufus Wainwright for fun. Most of the songs here contain a stripped-down musical presentation, which allows the vocals to shine through. And Hynde often lets her guests take a first verse before she chimes in.

Opening the physical formats is a luxurious take on “Me and Mrs. Jones,” the 1970s R&B hit popularized by Billy Paul. Boasting a small, smoky lounge atmosphere, Hynde lured Canadian adult pop/country chanteuse kd lang out of semi-retirement for their sublime version, which is leavened by organ and strings. It is the first of many highlights.

The late Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees/Queens of the Stone Age) brings an uncharacteristically high, measured delivery to the intimate, Elvis Presley-popularized “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with bells and simple instrumentation.

Another standout is Fred Neil’s “Dolphins,” which has been covered by Tim Buckley, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg and The The over the years. Hynde tackles in wonderfully with Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode for a laid back and dreamy interpretation.

Perennial classic “Always on My Mind” was the perfect choice for Hynde and Rufus Wainwright. Utilizing piano, pedal steel and unobtrusive drums and aching vocals from both singers, it’s definitely a stunner.

The same holds true with 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love,” where Brandon Flowers of The Killers joins Hynde. Bolstered by distant treated piano and synth, it retains some of the original’s billowy vibe. Hynde reprises the original's whispered bit at the end.

A tasteful take on “It’s Only Love,” an early Beatles tune penned by John Lennon, is made even more special with Lennon’s son Julian Lennon singing with Hynde.

Shirley Manson of Garbage turns up on a gorgeous “Love Letters,” first popularized by Nat King Cole and Elvis Presley. Manson and Hynde’s soft vocals are so interwoven that they’re almost undistinguishable. That’s not a slight – they mesh perfectly together.

Hynde recently told the UK’s NME that she wanted to spotlight the voice of past Pretenders producer/collaborator Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys on The Righteous Brothers’ hit (via Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil) closing track “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration.” Another highlight here, the understated drama works well. Hynde also adds the brief spoken word section in addition to her trademark breathy delivery.

Elsewhere, Hynde pairs with Lucinda Williams (The Rolling Stones’ “Sway”); alternative female artist Cat Power (Morrissey’s “The First of the Gang to Die”); soul singer Carleen Anderson (“Every Little Bit Hurts”); Debbie Harry (Low’s “Try to Sleep”); and Low’s Alan Sparhawk (Cass McCombs’ “County Line”).

Friday, October 10, 2025

In stores now: 'Avenoir,' the new album by Calum Scott

Multi-platinum, UK singer-songwriter Calum Scott released his third album, Avenoir, via Capitol Records today. Among the 14 songs is Scott's duet reimagining of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” alongside the late and legendary Whitney Houston.

Download/stream Avenoir HERE.

Avenoir borrows its title from John Koenig’s book of neologisms, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, which defines the invented word as “the desire that memory could flow backward.” Reflecting on the concept, Calum explains, “‘Avenoir’ refers to how we move through life like a rower moves: always moving forward but facing backward, seeing where we’ve been but not where we’re going. The songs on this album speak to both regret and sorrow, and to undying love — a plea to live life to its fullest."

Recorded with longtime collaborator Jon Maguire and production duo The Nocturns, Avenoir reveals Calum’s newfound freedom and growing certainty as an artist. “As I started working on Avenoir, there was a level of confidence that I hadn’t really felt on my first two albums,” he explains. “I realized I’ve put my foot firmly in the door of the music industry and I’m capable of doing so much more than I thought possible with my music — and it gave me a whole new sense of freedom, allowing me to evolve.”

The country detour “One More Drink” features Lauren Alaina. And “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” is a new version of the Whitney Houston hit that pairs Calum’s vocals with Houston’s, marking the first time her original stems have been used. 

Recorded with the endorsement of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, the new rendition transforms the dance-pop classic into a symphonic duet. Watch the official video, which features archival imagery of Whitney, HERE. The release comes as fans around the world celebrate the 40th anniversary of Whitney’s historic career in music and entertainment, which began with her 1985 self-titled debut album, which is now one of her three certified RIAA Diamond albums in the U.S.

In support of the album, Calum will embark on “The Avenoir Tour” — a global headline run set to bring his live show to 48 cities across Europe, South Africa, Asia, North America and finishing in his home country of the UK. With his latest live experience including performing at stadiums across Asia and Europe as support for Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour, Calum will take the stage at venues such as London’s OVO Wembley Arena, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, and New York City’s Terminal 5. North American dates below and the full itinerary can be found HERE.

Calum’s music has amassed over 10 billion streams worldwide to date. His gold-certified 2018 debut, Only Human, featured his 6x platinum smash “You Are the Reason,” boasting over 1 billion YouTube views on the music video, and 5x platinum cover of Robyn's “Dancing on My Own,” which earned a BRIT Award nomination in the category of Best British Single. The hits continued with his acclaimed sophomore album Bridges and a series of high-profile collaborations including Where Are You Now (a Gold-certified collaboration with Lost Frequencies that earned a 2023 BRIT Award Nomination for Best International Song), and Whistle (his Gold-certified collaboration with Jax Jones).

2026 North American Dates:

3/23/26 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
3/27/26 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
3/28/26 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
4/1/26 San Diego, CA SOMA
4/3/26 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
4/4/26 Phoenix, AZ The Van Buren
4/6/26 Salt Lake City, UT The Union
4/8/26 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
4/10/26 Dallas, TX House of Blues
4/11/26 Houston, TX House of Blues
4/12/26 Austin, TX ACL Live at The Moody Theater
4/14/26 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution Live
4/16/26 Orlando, FL The Plaza Live
4/17/26 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
4/18/26 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl
4/21/26 Washington, DC The Anthem
4/22/26 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore
4/23/26 New York, NY Terminal 5
4/25/26 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
4/26/26 Montreal, QC MTELUS
4/29/26 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
5/1/26 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
5/2/26 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
5/3/26 Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore

Men Without Hats ready new November EP; on tour in North America

On Nov. 14, Men Without Hats will unveil 'Men Without Hats On The Moon,' the forthcoming EP from the ‘80s Canadian new wave/synth-pop band. It was produced by Grammy/Juno Award winner Brian Howes (Simple Plan, Hinder). 

The new song “‘In Glorious Days’ was my first experience with truly collaborative writing,” frontman Ivan Doroschuk recalls. "I found working with Brian [Howes] effortless; the direction and flow of the song came so naturally, and the result is what I believe to be an amazing hybrid of the classic Men Without Hats sound with a new, modern synth-wave sonic sensibility. I can’t wait to play ‘In Glorious Days’ live for our fans. I have a feeling it’s going to be a new crowd favorite!”

Stream “In Glorious Days” and “I Love the ‘80s” on YouTube HERE. Pre-save, pre-add and pre-order Men Without Hats On The Moon HERE.

Additionally, Men Without Hats will be making numerous headline and festival appearances through 2025 and into 2026. Performing on the upcoming Abducted By The ‘80s Tour that will feature Wang Chung and Naked Eyes, the band will also be headlining shows across parts of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. east coast through December. Tickets for all shows are on sale now via the band’s site HERE, and a full listing of dates can be found below.

The well-known "Pop Goes The World" and "The Safety Dance" are more than hits — they're international memes, football chants, and soundtrack staples. The band has 31 million views on YouTube, and nearly 10 million monthly Spotify listeners.

Singer Ivan Doroschuk was joined by his brother Colin Doroschuk for the better part of the ‘80s, along with other musicians, with Ivan being the main songwriter and constant throughout the years. After a string of album releases and a 2020 induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, presently the Men Without Hats family ties have come full circle since Colin was replaced by his daughter, Sahara Sloan, on keyboards and vocals. 

Writing and recording Men Without Hats On the Moon was different for the band in that it was divided into two unique sessions. The first was a two-week stay in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island at producer Brian Howes’ studio where he and Doroschuk collaborated on the tracks “I Love the ‘80s” and “In Glorious Days.” 

The second session was recorded in Doroschuk’s studio on the ocean in Victoria B.C. with longtime producer, engineer, guitar player and friend Sho Murray. There, they were able to capture “If You Try”, "Run Away “, “Love Me Tomorrow” and “A Cause De Toi”.

“I believe we more-than-accomplished our goal and, sonically, managed to keep a cohesive sound and feel throughout,” Doroschuk summarizes. “Creating this project from top-to-bottom was a real on the moon experience. I truly hope our fans enjoy it!”

Track listing:

I Love the '80s
In Glorious Days
If You Try
Run Away
Love Me Tomorrow
A Cause De Toi
Jealous Guy

Live dates:

OCTOBER
16 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL — The Parker ~
17 — Miami, FL — The Moss Center ~
18 — Ft. Pierce, FL — Sunrise Theatre ~
19 — Jacksonville, FL — Florida Theatre ~

NOVEMBER
07 — Cancun, MX — The Sands Resort #
18 — Ottawa, ON — Algonquin Commons Theatre #
19 — Waterloo, ON — Maxwell's Concerts & Events #
20 — Toronto, ON — The Mod Club #
21 — Oshawa, ON — Biltmore Theatre #

DECEMBER
27 — Atlantic City, NJ — Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort *
28 — Mashantucket, CT — Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino *
29 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square *
31 — Las Vegas, NV — Casablanca Resort #

JANUARY 2026
18 — Winnipeg, MB — Club Regent #
20 — Calgary, AB — Bell Concert Hall #
22 — Edmonton, AB — Pure Casino #
24 — Coquitlam, BC — Great Canadian Casino #

FEBRUARY 2026
05 — Temecula, CA — Pechanga Casino #
06 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues #
07 — Menlo Park CA — The Guild Theatre #
27 — Port Canaveral, FL ^

~ — Abducted By The ‘80s Tour feat. Wang Chung, Naked Eyes
# — headline show
* — Totally Tubular Festival
^ — The ‘80s Cruise (February 27 – March 6)

Fine Young Cannibals deluxe compilation incl. remixes, DVD due in November

London Records celebrates the legacy of Fine Young Cannibals with FYC40, a new anthology out November 21 and available to pre-order/pre-save now in multiple formats. 1LP and 1CD physical editions present a 12-track album or the core hits, while an expanded 2LP offers 24 tracks, including six exclusive remixes. The 2CD set features the expanded album plus a second disc with brand-new and rare remixes from the London Records vault.

The expanded formats of FYC40 include remixes by Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, De La Soul’s Prince Paul, Norman Cook, Arthur Baker, Roger Sanchez, Mousse T and Faithless, alongside new remixes from Flight Facilities, The Reflex, DJ Q and previously unheard promotional remixes from Frankie Knuckles and Juan Atkins.

The DJ Q remix of “Ever Fallen in Love” is out now. Listen HERE.
Watch the visualizer HERE.

For collectors, the deluxe 4CD/DVD box set features 1985’s self-titled debut, The Raw and The Cooked (each expanded with rarities), two further discs of new, rare and unreleased remixes, and a DVD compiling all the band’s promo videos alongside the full 1989 Live At The Paramount concert (restored audio and visuals) and BBC classic performances from Top Of The Pops, The Old Grey Whistle Test, and Wogan.

Singer Roland Gift and his band will play Birmingham Symphony Hall (November 12) in the UK. For dates and to purchase tickets, please visit: HERE.

Pre-order FYC40 HERE.

Track listing (
Deluxe 4CD/DVD):

Disc One - Fine Young Cannibals + bonus tracks

1. Johnny Come Home
2. Couldn’t Care More
3. Don’t Ask Me to Choose
4. Funny How Love Is
5. Suspicious Minds
6. Blue
7. Move to Work
8. On a Promise
9. Time Isn’t Kind
10. Like a Stranger
11. Love for Sale
12. Wade in the Water
13. Motherless Child
14. Johnny Come Home [Anne Dudley Version]
15. Couldn’t Care More [Anne Dudley Version]
16. Move to Work [Anne Dudley Version]
17. Blue [Version]
18. Suspicious Minds [John Luongo U.S. 7” Mix]
19. Funny How Love Is [Re-recorded Version]
20. Johnny Come Home [Extended Mix]
21. Suspicious Minds [Extended Version]

Disc Two - The Raw & the Cooked + bonus tracks

1. She Drives Me Crazy
2. Good Thing
3. I’m Not the Man I Used to Be
4. I’m Not Satisfied
5. Tell Me What
6. Don’t Look Back
7.It’s OK (It’s Alright)
8. Don’t Let It Get You Down
9. As Hard as It Is
10. Ever Fallen in Love
11. Social Security
12. You Never Know
13. Hold Me [Demo]
14. I’m Not the Man I Used to Be [Demo Version]
15. I’m Not Satisfied [Demo Version]
16. Tell Me What [Demo Version]
17. As Hard as It Is [Demo Version]
18. Race Track [Demo]
19. She Drives Me Crazy [Louil Silas Jr. U.S. 7” Mix]
20. Good Thing [10” Alternative Mix]
21. Ever Fallen in Love [Extended Version]

Disc Three - Remixes

1. The Flame [Dave Way Mix]
2. I’m Not the Man I Used to Be [Matt Dike Remix]
3. She Drives Me Crazy [The Monie Love Remix]
4. Good Thing [Prince Paul Remix]
5. I’m Not Satisfied [Prince Paul Groovie Organ Mix]
6. It’s OK (It’s Alright) [Ploeg Club Mix]
7. Ever Fallen in Love [Arthur Baker Club Senseless]
8. Johnny Come Home [Mark Moore 12” Remix]
9. I’m Not the Man I Used to Be [Dancin’ Danny D Remix]
10. She Drives Me Crazy [The Justin Strauss Mix]
11. I’m Not Satisfied [Matt Dike 12”]
12. I’m Not the Man I Used to Be [Juan Atkins Remix]
13. Johnny Come Home [Mousse T Cocktail Mix]
14. Don’t Look Back [Luke Mornay Extended Remix]

Disc Four - Remixes

1. She Drives Me Crazy [Flight Facilities Remix]
2. Ever Fallen in Love [DJ Q Remix]
3. Johnny Come Home [Initial Talk Remix]
4. She Drives Me Crazy [The Reflex Edit]
5. The Flame [Mario Più & Ricky Le Roy Experience Mix]
6. She Drives Me Crazy [Cerrone Remix]
7. Johnny Come Home [Mousse T Extended Mix]
8. She Drives Me Crazy [Dimitri from Paris Remix]
9. The Flame [Mario Scalambrin Heartbeat Mix]
10. Johnny Come Home [Derrick Carter Remix]
11. She Drives Me Crazy [Roger Sanchez Time & Space Mix]
12. The Flame [Gigi D’Agostino Mix]
13. I’m Not the Man I Used to Be [Rollo & Sister Bliss Monster Mix]

Disc Five - DVD

Promo videos
1. Johnny Come Home
2. Blue
3. Suspicious Minds
4. Funny How Love Is
5. Ever Fallen in Love
6. She Drives Me Crazy
7. Good Thing
8. Don’t Look Back
9. I’m Not The Man I Used To Be
10. I’m Not Satisfied
11. The Flame

Live at the Paramount – 21 October 1989
12. Johnny Come Home
13. Like a Stranger
14. Couldn’t Care More
15. Good Thing
16. Tell Me What
17. Time Isn’t Kind
18. I’m Not Satisfied
19. Funny How Love Is
20. Ever Fallen in Love
21. Don’t Look Back
22. Suspicious Minds
23. I’m Not the Man I Used to Be
24. It’s OK (It’s Alright)
25. My Girl
26. She Drives Me Crazy

FYC at the BBC
27. Couldn’t Care More [Live at the Haçienda – on Whistle Test]
28. Don’t Ask Me to Choose [Live at the Haçienda – on Whistle Test]
29. Johnny Come Home [on Top of the Pops]
30. Suspicious Minds [on Top of the Pops]
31. Funny How Love Is [on Wogan]
32. Ever Fallen in Love [on Top of the Pops]
33. She Drives Me Crazy [on Top of the Pops]
34. Good Thing [on Top of the Pops]
35. I’m Not the Man I Used to Be [on Top of the Pops]

Thursday, October 9, 2025

'The Collection' deluxe edition box set by '80s New Wave band Ultravox due in December

photo: Chris Duffy
Following the recent deluxe editions of Ultravox’s Vienna, Rage In Eden, Quartet and Lament albums, on December 5, Chrysalis Records will release a Deluxe Edition box set of The Collection, the band’s successful 1984 compilation.

The Collection features the 14 singles Ultravox released between 1980 and 1984. Upon its release it sold over two million copies worldwide and went triple platinum in the UK.

Watch ‘Loves Great Adventure (Blank & Jones SO80S Reconstruction)’ on YouTube
This newly remastered compilation has been expanded to a 4CD/ two blu-ray Deluxe Edition. The set includes a new Collection II with a further 14 singles, alternative and unreleased versions from 1986 to 2024, 10 newly created 80s style 12” Extended Versions, mixed by Midge Ure, Steven Wilson, and Blank & Jones amongst others, as well as all the band’s B-sides collected together for the first time, and two Blu-ray discs with over four hours of footage featuring all the band’s groundbreaking promotional videos, alternative versions and a collection of their appearances on BBC TV from Top of The Pops and live performances.

The Collection is a limited Edition pressing of 5,000 units worldwide, housed in a 12” sized box set with six Discs (4CD/two Blu-ray) housed in a rigid slipcase, and two 20-page booklets, featuring previously unseen photos and images and lyrics. It will also be available to stream and on digital services.

2 LP black vinyl: 

The album has been newly remastered and cut at half-speed by AIR Mastering. This edition of the album has been made into a double album (the original was a single LP) to make the audio sound its best. It is housed in a dye-cut sleeve with interchangeable front image with a four-page insert.

4 LP clear vinyl box set: 

This newly remastered and expanded 4LP clear vinyl Deluxe Edition includes the original compilation and a second volume of The Collection II with a further 14 singles, alternative and unreleased versions of releases from 1986 to 2024. It is housed in a dye-cut sleeves with interchangeable images with a four-page inserts.

The Collection is also available on a standard CD, expanded from the original 14 to 19 tracks.

Purchase link: https://ultravox.lnk.to/TCD

Track listings

4CD/2 DVD set:

CD1: The Collection
1. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Single Version]
2. Hymn [Single Version]
3. The Thin Wall [Single Version]
4. The Voice [Single Version]
5. Vienna [Single Version]
6. Passing Strangers
7. Sleepwalk
8. Reap The Wild Wind
9. All Stood Still [Single Version]
10. Visions In Blue [Single Version]
11. We Came To Dance [Single Version]
12. One Small Day
13. Love’s Great Adventure
14. Lament [Single Version]

CD 2: The Collection II
1. All Stood Still [Alternative Version]*
2. The Thin Wall [Steven Wilson Single Mix]
3. Serenade [2025 Single Remix]*
4. White China [Steven Wilson Remix Edit]
5. Brilliant [Radio Edit]*
6. Same Old Story [Radio Edit]*
7. Hymn [Alternative version]*
8. New Europeans [Moments From Eden Live]
9. Rise [Live]
10. Live [Single Edit]
11. Lament [Alternative version]*
12. All Fall Down [Radio Edit]*
13. All In One Day [Single Edit]
14. Vienna [Alternative Version] *

CD 3: The Re-Mixes
1. Hymn [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]*
2. Sleepwalk [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] *
3. The Thin Wall [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]*
4. Visions In Blue [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]*
5. Reap The Wild Wind [12” Re-Mix Extra]*
6. Love’s Great Adventure [Blank & Jones so8os Reconstruction]*
7. All Stood Still [Midge Ure 12” Re-Mix*
8. New Europeans [Extended Re-Mix Extra]*
9. Same Old Story [12” Re-Mix]*
10. We Came To Dance [12” Re-Mix]*

CD 4: The B-Sides
1. Waiting
2. Passionate Reply
3. Herr X
4. Alles Klar
5. Keep Talking (Cassette Recording During Rehearsal)
6. I Never Wanted To Begin
7. Paths And Angles
8. Hosanna (In Excelsis Deo)
9. Monument
10.Break Your Back
11.Overlook
12.Easterly
13.Building
14.Heart Of The Country [Instrumental]
15.Man of Two Worlds [Instrumental]
16. 3
17. All In One Day [Instrumental]
18. Dreams?
19. Stateless

Blu-ray 1: Promotional Videos
01 Passing Strangers / 02 Vienna [Uncut Version] / 03 The Thin Wall / 04 The Voice / 05 Reap The Wild Wind / 06 Hymn / 07 Visions In Blue / 08 We Came To Dance / 09 One Small Day / 10 Dancing With Tears In My Eyes / 11 Lament / 12 Love’s Great Adventure / 13 Same Old Story / 14 All Fall Down / 15 Rise [Live]. Additional Videos: 16 Vienna [Live In St Albans 1980] / 17 Sleepwalk [Live In St Albans 1980] / 18 Vienna [Uncut Version] / 19 Reap The Wild Wind [Extended Version] / 20 Visions In Blue [Uncensored Version] / 21 The Thin Wall [Steven Wilson Single Edit] / 22 Reap The Wild Wind [Steven Wilson Stereo Edit] / 23 Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Piano Version] / 24 Quartet [Australian Electronic Press Kit August 1982] / 25 Extended Special Re-Mix [Part 1] / 26 Extended Special Re-Mix [Part 2] / 27 The Collection [TV Advert]

Blu-ray 2: At The BBC: Top of The Pops: 01 Sleepwalk [Top Of The Pops 14.8.1980] / 02 Vienna [Top Of The Pops 15.1.1981] / 03 All Stood Still [Top Of The Pops 11.6.1981] / 04 The Thin Wall [Top Of The Pops 27.8.1981] / 05 The Voice [Top Of The Pops 12.11.1981] / 06 Hymn [Top Of The Pops 16.12.1982] / 07 We Came To Dance [Top Of The Pops 8.6.1983] / 08 One Small Day [Top Of The Pops 9.2.1984] / 09 Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Top Of The Pops 31.5.1984] / 10 Lament [Top Of The Pops 5.7.1984] / 11 Love’s Great Adventure [Top Of The Pops 18.10.1984]. Performances: 12 Mine For Life [Old Grey Whistle Test 5.11.1982] / 13 Visions In Blue [Old Grey Whistle Test 5.11.1982] / 14 Hymn [Old Grey Whistle Test 5.11.1982] / 15 Billy Currie Interview [Riverside 1/11/1982] / 16 Hymn [The Kenny Everett Show 28.12.1982] / 17 Visions In Blue [ORS 18.2.1983] / 18 Hymn [ORS 18.2.1983] / 19 I Remember (Death In The Afternoon) [ORS 18.2.1983] / 20 One Small Day [ORS 2.3.1984] / 21 White China [ORS 2.3.1984] / 22 Man Of Two Worlds [ORS 2.3.1984] / 23 White China [One For The Road 18.8.1984] / 24 Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [One For The Road 18.8.1984] / 25 Love’s Great Adventure [Saturday Superstore 20.10.1984] / 26 Same Old Story [Wogan 12.9.1986] / 27 All Fall Down [Wogan 14.11.1986]
* Previously Unreleased

4LP Vinyl Box Set:
Side 1
1. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Single Version]
2. Hymn [Single Version]
3 The Thin Wall [Single Version]

Side 2
4. The Voice [Single Version]
5. Vienna [Single Version]
6. Passing Strangers
7. Sleepwalk

Side 3
8. Reap The Wild Wind
9. All Stood Still [Single Version]
10. Visions In Blue [Single Version]
11. We Came To Dance [Single Version]

Side 4
12. One Small Day
13. Love’s Great Adventure
14. Lament [Single Version]

LP2: The Collection II:
Side 1
1. All Stood Still [Alternative Version] *
2. The Thin Wall [Steven Wilson Single Mix]
3. Serenade [2025 Single Remix] *

Side 2
4. White China [Steven Wilson Remix Edit]
5. Brilliant [Radio Edit]*
6. Same Old Story [Radio Edit]*
7. Hymn [Alternative Version] *

Side 3
8. New Europeans [Moments From Eden Live]
9. Rise [Live]
10 Live [Single Edit]
11. Lament [Alternative Version] *

Side 4
12. All Fall Down [Radio Edit] *
13. All In One Day [Single Edit]
14. Vienna [Alternative Version] *
* Previously Unreleased

2LP Set:
Side 1
1. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Single Version]
2. Hymn [Single Version]
3. The Thin Wall [Single Version]

Side 2
1. The Voice [Single Version]
2. Vienna [Single Version]
3. Passing Strangers
4. Sleepwalk

Side 3
1. Reap The Wild Wind
2. All Stood Still [Single Version]
3. Visions In Blue [Single Version]
4. We Came To Dance [Single Version]

Side 4
1. One Small Day
2. Love’s Great Adventure
3. Lament [Single Version]

Standard CD:
1. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Single Version]
2. Hymn [Single Version]
3. The Thin Wall [Single Version]
4. The Voice [Single Version]
5. Vienna [Single Version]
6. Passing Strangers
7. Sleepwalk
8. Reap The Wild Wind
9. All Stood Still [Single Version]
10. Visions In Blue [Single Version]
11. We Came To Dance [Single Version]
12. One Small Day
13. Love’s Great Adventure
14. Lament [Single Version]
15. Same Old Story [Radio Edit]*
16. All Fall Down [Radio Edit]*
17. All In One Day [Single Edit]*
18. Brilliant [Radio Edit]*
19. Flow [Radio Edit] *

Out now: 'Afterglow,' the new EP by Midnight Til Morning; North American tour starts today

photo: Billy Zammit
Pop vocal group Midnight Til Morning have released their debut EP Afterglow alongside new single “Heart on Fire” and its official music video. The guys kick off their first global tour across North America, Australia, and Europe (Dates Here) today with sold-out shows in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Paris, Amsterdam, and England's Manchester, and Birmingham.

The EP features songwriting contributions from Amy Allen (Harry Styles’ “Adore You”; Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please, Please, Please”), Adam Yaron (Alex Warren’s “Ordinary”), Benson Boone; and Feli Ferraro (BTS, Halsey). Midnight Til Morning are also credited as songwriters throughout the EP.

Amid the seven-song collection are the singles “Bye” and “Navy Eyes.” And there are two brand new cuts, “17” and “Edge of Amazing.”

“Heart on Fire” was written by Yaron, Ferraro, Joshua Murty (Niko Moon) and Castle (Anne-Marie), and produced by Murty. The accompanying video was directed by Josh Harris with the team at Recliner, and pays homage to the iconic 90s and 00s campaigns from Gap and Calvin Klein. 

“‘Heart on Fire’ feels like the perfect song to lead into Afterglow because it captures the energy we want to bring to our shows and to this whole era,” says MTM member Mason Watts. “This EP is really the beginning of our story - we’ve poured every part of ourselves into these seven songs, and we can’t wait for people to connect with them the same way we do.”

Formed on the Top 10 Global Netflix series Building the Band, Midnight Til Morning members hail from America and Australia: Watts (26, Toowoomba, QLD), Conor Smith (22, Central Coast, NSW), Shane Appell (22, Upstate New York), and Zach Newbould (22, Boston, MA).

With endorsements including late One Direction singer Liam Payne (“I’ve got a very big soft spot for you boys; you remind me a lot of what we were like. Don’t let me down!”) and others, Midnight Til Morning has, since their debut in August, surpassed 11 million streams on Spotify and expanded their U.S. and European tours with multiple second shows due to demand.

North American Tour Dates:

Oct 12 @ Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA
Oct 14 @ Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA
Oct 15 @ Racket in New York, NY
Oct 16 @ Racket in New York, NY (SOLD OUT)
Oct 17 @ Royale in Boston, MA
Oct 19 @ Le National in Montreal, QC (SOLD OUT)
Oct 23 @ Annabel’s in Toronto, ON
Oct 24 @ Annabel’s in Toronto, ON (SOLD OUT)
Oct 26 @ El Club in Detroit, MI
Oct 27 @ Thalia Hall in Chicago, IL
Oct 31 @ Mohawk Outside in Austin, TX
Nov 1 @ The Factory in Dallas, TX
Nov 3 @ Bluebird Theatre in Denver, CO (SOLD OUT)
Nov 6 @ The Showbox in Seattle, WA
Nov 9 @ Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR
Nov 10 @ Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, BC
Nov 15 (Early Show) @ El Rey in Los Angeles, CA
Nov 15 @ El Rey in Los Angeles, CA (SOLD OUT)
Nov 16 @ The Regency in San Francisco, CA

'Afterglow' track list:

Album reviews: Scissor Sisters, Adam Mac, 'Brokeback Mountain'

Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters 
(Universal Music Enterprises)

The New York City group's eponymous debut album is a fun dose of danceable, hedonistic pop music. The songs often revolve around dreams, fantasies and themes relating to the LGBTQ experience. After the initial release in 2004, it became a commercial and critical juggernaut in the UK. Now, Scissor Sisters has been reissued with fabulous deluxe 2LP and 3CD editions. 

Both include previously unreleased songs, single B-sides (a great acoustic Franz Ferdinand cover for BBC Radio 1), extended remixes (Fatboy Slim, Hot Chip, Junkie XL), plus new liner notes and photos. Among the many standouts are the NYC band’s UK hits: the cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” (boasting lead singer Jake Shears’ helium falsetto), a rollicking, 1970s Elton John-styled “Take Your Mama,” and the poignant piano ballad “Mary.”

Information: udiscovermusic.com

Photo: Ford Fairchild
Adam Mac
Southern Spectacle 
(Independent)

Southern Spectacle, the third studio album by queer country artist Adam Mac is quite a ride. The Kentucky native has emerged as a leading light out of Nashville in recent years. Infusing traditional country sounds (steel guitar, banjo, fiddle) with pop, dance and R&B elements, Mac writes authentically about personal experiences. Yet there’s plenty of kicking back and having fun too. 

Highlights include the romantic vulnerability of “Last Rodeo” - penned for Mac’s husband before they married last summer in Sedona (the nuptials served as a theme to the accompanying music video); some sensual songs with shrewd lyrics (“Rhinestoned, “Turpentine”); the attitude aplenty on “Don’t Want This Smoke”; “The Outside,” a resonant duet ballad with fellow queer country singer Chris Housman; and “Golden Boy,” a stirring ballad about being the black sheep of the family. Available digitally on Oct. 24.

Information: adammacmusic.com

Various Artists
Brokeback Mountain: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 
(Verve Forecast)

Out on vinyl for the first time to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Oscar/Golden Globe-winning LGBTQ-themed film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, the soundtrack is housed in a gatefold jacket, with 16-page booklet comprising photos of the movie production and scenes, plus detailed liner notes. The track list features a sampling of Gustavo Santaolalla’s gorgeous original score and enticing Americana and country music. Willie Nelson does a comforting take on traditional folk song “He Was a Friend of Mine”; Emmylou Harris stuns on the beautiful “A Love That Will Never Grow Old”; Steve Earle rowdily revisits his ‘80s alt-country tune "Devil's Right Hand"; Rufus Wainwright and Teddy Thompson contribute affecting solo songs and then duet on a terrific cover of Roger Miller’s “King of the Road.”

Information: ververecords.com

My reviews originally ran in Desert Star Weekly.

Ty Herndon reinterprets past songs with LeAnn Rimes, Ashley McBryde, Michael Ray on new album 'Thirty Vol . 1'

Ty Herndon will release 'Thirty, Vol. 1' on October 17, the first installment of his double album project, 'Thirty.' The new collection celebrates Herndon’s three decades in country music with new renditions of his biggest hits and select fan favorites—alongside various vocalists. 

The fourth and final single ahead of the album - an updated rendition of Herndon’s ‘90s country song “Hands of a Working Man,” reimagined as a duet with fellow country music chart topper Michael Ray (“Whiskey and Rain”, “Think a Little Less”). Written by D. Vincent Williams and Jim Collins and released as the third single from Herndon’s album, Big Hopes, the song reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in May 1999.

“Nineties country was really about storytelling, and the second I heard this song, I knew I had to record it for my Dad and all those hardworking men -- and women -- out there who keep our great country running. Michael Ray had once told me that this was one of his Dad’s favorite songs, so when it came time to record it for this project, he was my first and only choice -- and man, he brought it to life better than I could have ever imagined for a whole new generation of fans,” said Herndon.

The eight-track release honors Herndon’s career, beginning with his chart-topping 1995 debut What Mattered Most and revisits signature songs along with “missed hits”—tracks he has long believed could have been major singles. 

“This album is truly a celebration of the last 30 years of my life and career,” said Herndon. “To revisit these songs—some that defined me and others that I always wished had gotten their moment—with such an incredible group of friends and artists is the honor of a lifetime. 'Thirty' is about honoring where I’ve been while also looking ahead with gratitude and hope.”

Vol. 2 is slated for release in 2026.

Vol. 1 will be available on October 17 on all major streaming platforms and digital retailers.

Track List:

What Mattered Most | Duet with LeAnn Rimes
Hands of a Working Man | Duet with Michael Ray
A Man Holdin’ On (To a Woman Lettin’ Go) | Feat. Ashley McBryde
I’d Move Heaven and Earth | Duet with Brooke Eden
Pretty Good Thing | Feat. Joanna Cotten and Shelly Fairchild
Heart Half Empty | Duet with Kristin Chenoweth
She Wants To Be Wanted Again | Duet with Chrissy Metz
Big Hopes | Feat. Alex Schwartz

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Def Leppard news: Phil Collen inaugurates his Fender Custom Guitar Shop Performance Room in Corona; Def Leppard to get Hollywood Walk of Fame Star on Thursday


Photo courtesy: FMIC
Phil Collen – the legendary guitarist for Def Leppard – launched his new namesake performance/meeting room at Fender Custom Shop and factory in Corona, Calif. with an intimate live set for employees and guests.

The event honored Collen’s longstanding partnership with Fender’s Jackson guitar brand resulting in several USA Signature PC1 models. In 1989, Collen first teamed with Jackson to create the PC1 Archtop electric model. Onstage, the musician has used several Jackson PC1 guitars and Fender acoustic guitars.

Before playing in Corona, Collen relayed how the guitar he was about to play was the same one used last Friday when Def Leppard did an acoustic set alongside The Who, John Fogerty, Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam for the 10th Annual Backyard Concert in Pacific Palisades, Calif. The private, invite-only event benefitted Teen Cancer America and the UCLA Health Center.

Three years ago, Collen did a limited run of his PC-1 signature model painted in a Jackson Pollock-styled finish (including the headstock) and his name in Japanese script. That guitar was among the ones on hand in Corona.

The 15-minute Corona set saw Collen backed by a bassist and drummer, with singer Debbi Blackwell-Cook joining them on the last two of four songs. She is a member of Collen’s blues-rock side project Delta Deep, whose self-titled album came out in 2015.

Collen handled vocals as they opened with Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Fire,” with the guitarist displaying some dizzying, lightning speed fretwork. Then they moved onto Def Leppard’s Billboard top 10 hit from 1987, “Hysteria,” and that memorable chiming guitarwork. Blackwell-Cook jumped onstage for a frantic blues number and a fiery duet take on Bryan Adams and Tina Turner’s “It’s Only Love.”

In related news, Def Leppard will receive a star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time. SiriusXM radio personality Bob Buchmann serves as emcee, while the speakers are Jon Bon Jovi and Universal Music Enterprises President & CEO Bruce Resnikoff. 

The star location is near the Capitol Records building. Stream the ceremony live via walkoffame.com.

Def Leppard’s most recent studio album is 2022’s Diamond Star Halos. The superstar rock band also has the concert film and album, Diamond Star Heroes: Live from Sheffield, scheduled for Nov. 21.

For more information, go to jacksonguitars.com, defleppard.com.
Phil Collen photo courtesy Fender Musical Insrtruments Corporation
Def Leppard photo courtesy defleppard.com

Friday, October 3, 2025

Ashes And Diamonds, a new trio with Love & Rockets, PiL and Sade members, readies debut album later this month

“I love the way this one builds and builds,” says guitarist/vocalist Daniel Ash of “Setting Yourself Up For Love,” the latest single from Ashes And Diamonds. The follow-up to initial track “On A Rocka” is from upcoming debut album, Ashes And Diamonds are Forever, due October 31 via Cleopatra Records. 

Ash is of course, world renowned for his stints in Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Tones on Tail), while the new trio is rounded out by drummer Bruce Smith (Public Image Ltd.) and bassist Paul Spencer Denman (Sade).

Of “Setting Yourself Up For Love,” Denman says, “Bruce had this [killer] loop that I could listen to all day...it was fierce. It seemed to me the loop just needed something real low and gritty. I played F and hit the strings real hard and we put a ‘rat’ (it’s a foot pedal I like to use on it for extra growl). And I just stayed on that one note for the whole song. Keep it simple stupid.”

Adds Smith, “This song started with an idea that I sent to Daniel”...It was just the synth part and the drums. He took it and wrote the song, only adding the chord changes at the end. What he came up with was not what I expected at all! The beauty of Daniel’s writing.”

Talking about the sound, Denman notes the album is "the sound of three people being honest...“We’ve all been around the block a few times, and I hope some young kids hear this and wanna go smash down some walls, throw bricks and be inspired like we were when we were young.” Says Smith, “That’s what experience gives you,,,the ability to play only what the song needs.”

Ashes And Diamonds Are Forever had its beginnings pre-Covid when Paul’s wife Kim suggested to him and Daniel that Bruce would be a killer drummer, the three musicians wrote and collaborated in studio and remotely for years. 

“This album has been in the making for about seven years,” explains Ash. “It should have been seven months tops but because of Covid and the three of us being perfectionists…” he trails off with a laugh.

“Setting Yourself Up For Love” is available through DSPs today HERE. The album can be preordered HERE. It was produced by Ashes And Diamonds with some co-production with James Salter and Joe Dexter. It was mixed, engineered with additional production by Robert Adam Stevenson.

Track listing:

Hollywood
Teenage Robots
On A Rocka
ON
Boy Or Girl
The A Listers
Plastic Fantastic
Ice Queen
Setting Yourself Up For Love
Alien Love
Champagne Charlie

The 51st season of Austin City Limits concert TV series returns this weekend with Finneas in Episode 1

Photo: Scott Newton, Courtesy ACL
Live music TV series Austin City Limits is proud to write the next chapter in its remarkable 50+ year run, forging ahead with the the series’ Season 51 broadcast season this weekend. 

ACL returns on Saturday, October 4 at 7pm CT/8pm ET with Finneas making his solo headlining debut with songs from his critically acclaimed sophomore album For Cryin’ Out Loud! He first appeared on the ACL stage in Season 45 in 2019 alongside his sister Billie Eilish. 

Facing headwinds from the recent PBS funding cuts that became effective October 1, Austin City Limits’ longtime executive producer Terry Lickona recently spoke with Billboard magazine regarding the impact of the federal funding cuts to public media. 

Willie Nelson, who taped the series’ original pilot in 1974, and has appeared on the program more than any other performer, told Billboard: “Austin City Limits and PBS were and are an essential part of education, understanding, curiosity and empathy, which are the essentials and building blocks of humanity.” 

Beck, who has made multiple appearances on the series, commented: “Austin City Limits is one of the only film and TV outlets that documents great musicians at the peak of their powers. In decades to come, the shows are going to be some of the best documents and snapshots of this era of music.” To support Austin City Limits, donate to Austin PBS.

ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings) and full episodes are made available to stream online at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the initial broadcast. 

Austin City Limits recently celebrated its milestone 50th Anniversary in 2024, and ACL continues its extraordinary run as the longest-running music series in television history, providing viewers a front-row seat to the best in live performance for an incredible half-century. 

Produced by Austin PBS, and recorded live at ACL’s studio home ACL Live in Austin, Texas, the live music beacon is a public media institution that presents quality live music performances featuring artists from all genres of popular music. 

“As public media and PBS face severe funding cuts, ACL continues to lay the groundwork for the future in our 51st season,” said executive producer Terry Lickona. “A new generation of artists showcases their remarkable talents, mixed with a touch of down-and-dirty blues celebrating Austin’s iconic music venue, Antone’s.”

Watch new episodes live, stream online, or download the PBS App. The complete line-up for the full 14-week season, including five new episodes to air beginning January 2026, will be announced at a later date. Viewers can visit acltv.com for news regarding live streams, future tapings and episode schedules or by following ACL on Facebook, Twitter, IG and TikTok. Fans can also browse the ACL YouTube channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes videos and full-length artist interviews. Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at acltv.com.

Austin PBS broadcasts 35,000 hours of curated content across four channels, devoted to education, arts and culture, and news and public affairs. We also provide a safe space for kids to learn and grow through our Austin PBS KIDS 24/7 channel. The station is home to beloved, award-winning Austin PBS Original series such as Austin City Limits, Overheard with Evan Smith, Central Texas Gardener, and its new weekly news program, Austin InSight, which blends in-depth reporting, incisive interviews, and Austin PBS’s unique approach to storytelling in an expanded commitment to news and public affairs content.

Tune into Austin PBS through one of our 4 channels, or stream online with the PBS App. Become a member and receive Austin PBS Passport, which gives station supporters access to even more content online—binge entire series before they air or catch up on programs you may have missed.

Season 51 2025 Broadcast Line-Up (second half of season to be announced separately):

October 4 FINNEAS
October 11 The Marías
October 18 Austin City Limits 11th Hall of Fame Honors My Morning Jacket
October 25 Charley Crockett | Waxahatchee
November 1 Samara Joy
November 8 Austin City Limits Celebrates Antone’s & the Blues
November 15 Kelsea Ballerini | CAM
November 22 Jon Batiste

James Hunter 6 return with new album 'Off the Fence' in January

James Hunter Six's 'Off the Fence," its first album on Easy Eye Sound, drops on Jan. 16. “A Sure Thing” is the first single. The British singer, songwriter and Grammy-nominated Hunter also does a rare duet with longtime collaborator Van Morrison (“Ain’t That a Trip”). 


“I thought the title was a nice phrase and, musically, I was trying to get a bit of Northern Soul in there - which is where we’re trying to appeal to people’s feet. But, lyrically, it’s just a different way of reflecting on somebody saying that they want to play things safe,” explains James.

“The way I write is what I call the Thesaurus method. I take the salient words describing the subject of the song and try to find as many synonyms for them as I can and then look for stuff to rhyme them with. As annoying as it is to admit it, there’s a lot of work goes into the phrasing, and I make a lot of demos at home to get that side of it right.”

The James Hunter Six – alongside James, includes Myles Weeks (double bass), Rudy Albin Petschauer (drums), Andrew Kingslow (keyboards, percussion), Michael Buckley (baritone saxophone) and Drew Vanderwinckel (tenor saxophone).

On the most basic level, the album marks 40 years since the British soul singer made his recording debut with the release of his first album back in ’86. Equally significant is the appearance of one of his earliest supporters and collaborators, Van Morrison.

The pair were introduced back in the early ’90s and first collaborated on a brace of Van Morrison albums – 1994’s live set, A Night In San Francisco and ’95’s Days Like This. The following year Van Morrison returned the favor, guesting on James’s album Believe What I Say, running through a pair of Bobby Bland classics. Three decades on, the legendary 80-year-old Irish singer adds his voice to one of the most joyous tunes on Off The Fence – the jump blues of "Ain’t That A Trip."

“I tried to get Van to sing one of my songs 30 years ago, but I hadn’t really written anything he fancied at the time,” recalls James. “But we were having a chin wag backstage at a gig where we were opening, and I asked him if he wanted to sing something on our next record and he said yes, so I sent him the track. Hearing him actually singing words I wrote gave me a real kick. It’s brilliant.”

Hunter’s own musical journey started 66 miles from London in Colchester, Essex, where he was born in 1962. His life-changing moment came at the age of nine when his grandmother handed him her Dansette record player and a collection of old 78s. Included in that pile of shellac was a copy of Jackie Wilson’s 1958 hook-filled hit, “Reet Petite” – a tune that musically helped transform R&B into soul. It proved equally as transformational as far as young James was concerned, providing him with a gateway to a whole new musical world that seemed a million miles away from 70s Winter of Discontent Essex.

Track listing:

1. Two Birds With One Stone
2. Let Me Out Of This Love
3. Gun Shy
4. Believe It When I See It
5. Here And Now
6. Off The Fence
7. Ain’t That A Trip (feat. Van Morrison)
8. One For Ripley
9. Trouble Comes Calling
10. Particular
11. A Sure Thing
12. Only A Fool

The Cranberries' MTV 'Unplugged' 1995 live sets to finally see light of day next month

On Nov. 7, Island Records/UMe will put out The Cranberries' MTV Unplugged episode on live CD, LP and digital for the first time as a standalone release (additionally, a limited-edition colored vinyl version featuring an alternate cover will also be available exclusively through COMPLEX).

Originally recorded on Feb. 14, 1995, the nine-song performance made its broadcast debut on April 18 that year. Filmed at Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, NY, the episode was aired during the sixth season of the acclaimed series that highlighted a stripped down and acoustic setting by some of the most popular artists and musicians of the era.

“We’d seen some of the biggest names in music like R.E.M., Pearl Jam, The Cure and Nirvana do their Unplugged’s and were blown away to be following in their footsteps,” recalls drummer Fergal Lawler. 

“MTV were doing a series of recordings in this beautiful old theatre with curved seating. It was a really chilled, relaxed vibe with the audience sitting on the floor.” The band was accompanied by Electra Strings (the string quartet who had accompanied the band on the UK program Later with Jools Holland in 1994).

Among the songs is non-album track “Yesterday’s Gone,” which remains unreleased in a studio format. “Dolores and I literally wrote ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ – apt title! - the day before,” guitarist Noel Hogan reveals. “There was a piano where we were and I said, ‘I have this idea’ and it came together in a couple of hours. The only time we ever played it was for MTV.”

“It was an honour to do MTV Unplugged and I’m really proud that the songs we wrote didn’t need all the bells and whistles you get in the studio to sound good,” adds Noel. “They worked just as well, stripped down and played acoustically, albeit with the help of the brilliant Electra Strings.”

Track listing:

Intro/Dreaming My Dreams
Ode To My Family
Linger
Free To Decide
I'm Still Remembering
Empty
Zombie
Yesterday's Gone

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

An interview with John Oates: The new album, 'The Masked Singer' appearance, Daryl Hall+John Oates memories, more

John Oates’ new digital album is out now at streaming services. The veteran singer/guitarist’s strongest studio effort to date, Oates often delves into soulful groove rock and R&B territory after recent forays into acoustic folk and Americana.

As the creative other half of Daryl Hall + John Oates - the rock era’s most successful duo with 11 gold or platinum studio albums and 22 top 20 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 (six reached the pole position) – Oates co-wrote major hits like “She’s Gone,” “Sara Smile,” “You Make My Dreams,” “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” “Maneater” and “Out of Touch.” Oates also contributed vital harmonies, guitar, and occasional lead vocals (“How Does it Feel to Be Back,” “Possession Obsession”) across 18 albums and a 54-year music partnership.

For the eponymous album, John Oates co-produced with David Kalmusky (Journey, Keith Urban) and Sam Bergeson (Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani). Featured vocalists include Grammy-nominated R&B artist Devon Gilfillian and Wendy Moten, a “The Voice” runner-up, with Tim McGraw & Faith Hill tours and past Oates studio sessions to her credits.

Last August, Oates finished a brief tour at The Troubadour in West Hollywood that was livestreamed via volume.com (check the website for on demand replay). He plans to add more scattered shows, possibly in late fall, and then next February in Florida associated with appearances at the sold out Rock Legends Cruise XIII.

“I don’t really like to go on tour where I’m out for long periods of time,” Oates admits. “The reality is, where I’m at in my life, my age and everything like that, I want to be at my best when I play. I can’t just be out there on the road living in hotels anymore.”

Oates checked in from a tour stop in Connecticut. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

Q: Since some of the Oates tracks were previously available for streaming, how did you go about deciding which ones to include on the album?

John Oates: Over the last 15 years, I’ve been working in Nashville and working in the Americana/acoustic roots music lane…When I did the Reunion album (in 2024), it felt like the culmination of all those years of work. The players on it were people who supported me when I first came to Nashville - Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, Bela Fleck, Sierra Hull, Guthrie Trap - all these incredible Americana-oriented musicians. They were all on the record and I felt like it was really the best expression of that.

It was time to do something else. I have a lot of influences, and I love all sorts of styles. Urban R&B and vintage soul are part of my musical DNA. [First], I did the song “Pushin’ a Rock.” Then I did a song with Devon Gilfillian, a Philadelphia R&B singer and a young guy who’s really great. I met him in Nashville, and we really hit it off. When we wrote and performed and recorded “Mending” together, it turned me on. It just got me really excited. I said, ‘You know what? This feels really good. This feels like a place to go for me.’

I [could] take a step and still stay in my wheelhouse because it’s all stuff that I’m comfortable with, but I kept it on the sidelines. That was the catalyst. It really made me [continue], and then I started writing like a madman. I wrote all sorts of songs. Then I looked back and I saw songs like ‘Get Your Smile On,’ ‘Pushin’ a Rock,’ songs that were, as you said, previously released. The songs all worked together and had that vibe. Between the older material that I pulled back in and the newer stuff I was writing, the album came together very quickly.

Q: The version of “Pushin’ a Rock” on your 2014 album Good Road to Follow was quite different.

John Oates: Can I tell you a quick story about that?

Q: Go right ahead.

John Oates: I wrote that with Nathan Paul Chapman, who produced the early Taylor Swift material (the multiple Grammy-winner also produced, written, or played on albums by Michael Buble, Keith Urban, John Fogerty, Lady A, Lionel Richie).

He and I wrote that and to be honest with you, I always thought the lyrics were great, but I never felt the music stood up to the quality of the lyrics. Then during COVID, I had a lot of time on my hands. I started looking at all my material and things I had in the can.

I listened to it again. And during COVID, that song sounded even more appropriate and timely. I started messing around with the music because I really thought the lyrics were great. I called Nathan and said, ‘I’d love to do a revised version of this song.’ He said,’ Sure, give it a try.’ And I did. When I sent it to him, the response was, ‘That’s the way it always should have sounded.’ That really made me feel good…it fits so well with what I’m doing now.

Q: While listening to these songs, I was really impressed by the use of your falsetto on “Pushin’ a Rock,” “Away’s Away” and elsewhere. How do you keep your voice in such great shape these days?

John Oates: I’m a natural singer. I know how to sing and how to save my voice. Again, it gets back to what we spoke about earlier about doing too many shows. It’s a muscle and I have to be careful. I’ve learned how to use it and how to sing, and I've started to do much more falsetto because it’s part of this musical DNA that I have.

Going back to my influences, people like Curtis Mayfield and the [late 1960s-70s] Philly [sound] stuff, used a lot of falsetto singing and it’s pretty prominent there. I haven’t featured my falsetto much in the [recent] past. I thought, ‘This feels like I’m making a connection to my musical influences.

Q: “Enough is Enough,” your collaboration with young NYC soul-pop duo Lawrence is a standout on the new album and has such an ebullient vibe with the horn section and everything. I could listen to it on endless repeat. You were so impressed by their sound that you tried to write a song like them, right?

John Oates: Exactly. I got on a roll to write a lot of new material to add to the existing material. I was at my place in Colorado, in writing mode, looking for inspiration. I started listening to Lawrence and felt a kinship with them in terms of [how] they’re from New York, they’re a pop group, they're great writers, great singers, and great instrumentalists. They don’t use samples. They don’t use [prerecorded] tracks [onstage].

They’re really a new version of old school and I love that. It appealed to me. I also liked the joy and energy that I felt coming from their music. I really felt like I needed to write something that maybe could have that same type of joy and energy, you know?

Q: Yeah.

John Oates: I started writing and came up with the song, ‘Enough is Enough.’ It started sounding like them and seemed to have their vibe. Then when I got to the second verse, I didn’t have any really good lyrics. I couldn’t come up with anything decent. I looked at their songs and (2021’s) ‘Don’t Lose Sight’ seemed to be talking about the same thing that I was, except it was their version. The gist of their lyric was about frustration with the music business. The gist of my lyric was frustration with the place where I was in my life. I cobbled together some lyrics from their song and stuck them into my second verse.

Then I said, ‘I’m not going to steal their words, obviously, so I reached out to them through some mutual friends and.sent it to them. I said, ‘Listen, I want to give you a share of the publishing and we’ll do a share of the co-writing, whatever it takes. But I really like the way this is working and if you like it, I’d love to collaborate with you.’ They did and it was awesome.

I cut the track in Nashville with my guys and did my part. Then we went to New York and brought Clyde and Gracie (Lawrence) into the studio. It was really cool, being at the new Hit Factory, which was like completing a circle in a lot of ways. That’s the place Daryl and I started recording in New York in the late Seventies…I hadn’t recorded in New York in ages. There was a lot of good juju there.

Q: Did collaborating with younger artists like Lawrence, Devon Gilfillian and Sam Burgeson on this album provide a creative spark for you?

John Oates: Yeah. I collaborate with a lot of people. Over the years, what I found was - and I don’t mean to say this in a negative way - but every time I would collaborate with someone in my same age area, or who is drawing from the same kind of influences that I do - it always seemed a bit stifled and almost like we were treading water.

But every time I’d collaborate with younger artists, they would bring a different point of view, a different set of references. I would bring experience and some other things that they might not really have. It seemed to work, so I began to really seek out younger artists and songwriters. It’s just fun.

Q: The two Latin-tinged songs on the album provide a pleasant change of pace. What prompted you to do them?

John Oates: They are both outliers, songs that I had in the can that I really wanted people to hear. ‘Bajo La Luz, De La Luna” (Translation: ‘In the Sun, Under the Moonlight’) was specifically written for the film ‘Gringa’ directed by a friend of mine. He asked if I’d contribute some music, and I did. That was one of the songs I contributed. I just dipped into my high school Spanish and threw out a couple of words. If you see the movie, it works really well with the theme (The track plays during the end credits of the 2023 drama starring Steve Zahn, Roselyn Sanchez, and Judy Greer).

On ‘Dreaming About Brazil,’ I wrote that song because I’m a huge Antonio Carlos Jobim fan and very much a bossa nova fan. I have played bossa nova my whole life. I started messing around with something that was like very Jobim-inspired, in terms of the chord progression, but then I couldn’t sing it; I could, but it didn’t sound very good.

Q: Because you’ve worked with Wendy before, she was the perfect choice.

John Oates: Exactly. I love Wendy. She’s one of the greatest singers on the planet, and I will stand behind that statement. She’s an amazing person and an amazing singer. She’s toured with me and sang with me on records. I asked her, and I just thought it might be a cool moment to have another personality on there. She came in and of course, she just killed it and did a beautiful job. I loved the song and wanted people to hear it.

Q: In 2023, you put your own spin on a cover of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” What led you to tackle Mark Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis” on the album?

John Oates: That was because I did ‘The Masked Singer’ and in the first episode, they give you a list of songs. You don’t just get to pick anything you want. They have a theme involved with every show, and that that was the only song I wanted to do from their list. So, I did it. And having done it on ‘The Masked Singer,’ it reminded me of what an amazing song it is. I wanted to put my stamp on it. Did you get a chance to hear the Grabbitz remix?

Q: Yes. When my first reaction was, ‘Now John Oates would be cool to the Coachella kids.’

John Oates: I’ve got a mutual friend who knows Grabbitz (the Buffalo, N.Y. DJ scored a 2016 dance hit with Deadmau5 on “Let Go”) and sent him the song. He loved it and said he wanted to give it a try. I’m open to all these possibilities. It keeps me on my toes, and it’s really great to hear people’s interpretations.

Q: Another one of the standouts for me on Oates is the acoustic guitar-accented “World Gone Wrong.” What was the impetus for it?

John Oates: I wrote that right around the time I wrote ‘Enough Is Enough.’ I was in my house in Colorado, and my wife and son had gone back home. I was going to spend a few more days there wood shedding. I was just sitting there and had this really weird, sad emotion about how terrible it would be if this were my reality and they weren’t around. I know it’s dark and a little bit depressing…

Q: I want to switch gears now. Veteran classic rock musicians who get played regularly on SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock Radio stations sometimes complain about the invented genre. But yacht rock’s popularity has made unfairly maligned 1970s pop music somewhat fashionable again and brought new listeners to Daryl Hall + John Oates’ music. What is your opinion on it?

John Oates: Listen, anytime our music can get played, especially vintage and classic rock things - keeping this music alive is very important. On SiriusXM, the yacht rock station is [one of] their most popular stations. There’s a reason for that: the songs are good, and people love them.

Look, I don’t care for the title. I think yacht rock is silly. I don’t even know what it means. I don’t know where it came from. Regardless of that fact, it’s a great format to keep the music of the past alive. And I’m thrilled that they’re playing Daryl Hall + John Oates songs.

Q: On Spotify, the most streamed song by Daryl Hall + John Oates is “You Make My Dreams” – amid the platform’s Billions Club. What elements in that song do you think has made it connect with more people than any of your others?

John Oates: Interestingly enough, that song really wasn’t a hit when it first came out. I mean, it was a hit, but by our Eighties standards, it was not a hit (the song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100). It was never even released as a single in England or Europe or any place outside of America.

It really was an outlier and when it got picked for the ‘(500) Days of Summer’ movie soundtrack, it really started getting traction with millennials and the younger generation. It’s a very simple song with a very direct message and it’s got a great groove.

Q: Agreed. This past July, there was plenty of media attention surrounding the 40th anniversary of Live Aid. You and Daryl performed with Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, members of the Temptations and on your own. Would you consider your appearance at the all-star benefit concert to be a highlight of your career?

John Oates: Absolutely. That was a landmark moment in music history, and it was the first time music was simulcast around the world - to more people than ever before…Mick Jagger had done a solo album, and he didn’t have a band. He reached out to us to back him up. We had just played the Apollo Theater with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin (a corresponding live album arrived two months later). We wanted them to go on with us and we did a reprise of the Temptations medley.

It was just a great, exciting moment. Of course, it was in Philadelphia [where we got our start], and we were at the top of our game in terms of the world of commercial music and hits. The whole thing just was really powerful and I'm very, very proud of that.

Q: Looking back to the entire Daryl Hall + John Oates catalog, which albums do you think stand the test of time and which, if any, would you listen to for pleasure?

John Oates: I can pinpoint albums that I think were pivotal to the changes in our career. ‘Abandoned Luncheonette’ (The 1973 release featuring “She’s Gone”) really put us on the map. That album, to this day, is our version of a masterpiece. I don’t know if the rest of the world agrees, but as far as I'm concerned, it is.

The ‘Voices’ album, because it was the first album that we produced ourselves. What it really did was set the tone for the Eighties. It put us in a creative place where we could really do exactly what we wanted to do - and do it in the way we wanted to do it.

I would say that the big hits on ‘Private Eyes’ and ‘H2O’ are important. I think that the most important record would be ‘Big Bam Boom’ because it was a change in technology. It was the end of the analog era and early in the infancy of the digital era. We were combining these two technologies for the first time and doing some groundbreaking stuff in terms of sonically and production wise. I don't think enough people give us credit for that. I like a lot of the records, but those are the high points.

My interview originally appeared as the September cover story for rockcellarmagazine.com.