Pride Month Music News: Final Soft Cell album 'Danceteria' set for September

photo: Mike Owen

Electronic music legends Soft Cell - singer/LGBTQ icon Marc Almond and late multi-instrumentalist/producer Dave Ball, are set to release Danceteria, their sixth and final studio album, on September 25 via Republic of Music.

The duo is best known for the classic '80s remake of Edd Cobb/Gloria Jones' "Tainted Love."

The title track, available now, is a disco pop statement of intent. Danceteria, the album, arrives on LP and CD, with the CD expanding to 14 tracks including two bonus tracks: "Crackland" and "What Is Your Morality."

Marc describes the album:

"Danceteria is a love letter to New York in the early '80s. The time we spent in New York - where we recorded our first three albums - shaped us both as artists and people. To celebrate this period is a fitting farewell to Dave Ball and the final Soft Cell studio album."

The album is one of the last bodies of work Ball co-wrote and produced before his sad, untimely passing in October 2025. Almond described Dave as a "brilliant musical genius." Dave finished Danceteria two days before he passed away, and it is in full tribute to him that the album release went ahead as planned.

It is also because of Dave's passing that Danceteria simply has to be the last Soft Cell album, as Marc explains:

"There can be no more recordings of Soft Cell without Dave, it would not be possible. The sad reality is that Dave Ball was half of Soft Cell, and live work aside, I can't write Soft Cell songs without him."

Danceteria is set in the legendary Manhattan nightclub where young Marc and Dave would party until the small hours after the recording sessions for their seminal 1981 debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret. 

“Soft Cell have always had a strong connection with New York, and my Soft Cell lyrics often look at America through British eyes,” says Marc. “New York in the 1980s was a particularly creative place for me. It was a pivotal era in terms of changes in my personal life and changes in the city itself. New York shaped Soft Cell as it opened up a whole new world of possibilities. It was dirty, dark and dangerous – a real Wild West – but it was also deeply inspiring and exciting. A lot of our original influences came from America anyway: New York punk, Devo, Suicide, Lou Reed, disco and 1960s soul. But New York was like nowhere else on earth. There were 24-hour nightclubs, music, art and underground theatre. It offered a cornucopia of energy and edge, and the lyrics on ‘Danceteria’ reflect that time of my life.”

This past March, the first new music released from Danceteria in form of "Out Come The Freaks," a cover of Was (Not Was)'s 1981 song. "Out Come The Freaks" features guest vocals from Nona Hendryx, one third of Labelle of "Lady Marmalade" fame. "Danceteria" was initially released as an extended mix on limited white 12" vinyl for Record Store Day 2026, along with a house rework by Mark Moore and Dan Donovan, plus a dub version.

Marc Almond will be performing as Soft Cell in North America on the Generations Tour with The Human League and Alison Moyet throughout July. Marc will also be playing some UK solo shows, including with Gary Numan and Ladytron at Crystal Palace Bowl, London, on August 6 and as a special guest of The Human League at Ludlow Castle, Shopshire, on July 18 (full listings and tickets here).

Track Listing:

LP 

Side A

1) Elusive (Vinyl Edit)
2) Danceteria
3) The Space Inside (Vinyl Edit)
4) Times Square (Vinyl Edit)
5) Two Of A Kind
6) The Rainbow Room (Vinyl Edit)
7) In Heaven (When I Dance With You)

Side B

1) Decadence Is Hard Work
2) Losing Yourself
3) After Hours
4) Wave To America
5) Out Come The Freaks

CD:

1) Elusive
2) Danceteria
3) The Space Inside
4) Times Square
5) Two Of A Kind
6) The Rainbow Room
7) In Heaven (When I Dance With You)
8) Decadence Is Hard Work
9) Crackland
10) What Is Your Morality
11) Losing Yourself
12) After Hours
13) Wave To America
14) Out Come The Freaks

Pre-order Danceteria on vinyl, CD and digital here.
www.softcell.co.uk

The Human League, Soft Cell and Alison Moyet Tour Dates:

Jun 13 Mesa, AZ Mesa Amphitheatre
Jun 16 Dallas, TX Texas Trust CU Theatre
Jun 17 New Orleans Saenger Theatre
Jun 19 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
Jun 20 Charlotte, NC The Amp Ballantyne
Jun 21 Nashville, TN Grand Ol Opry
Jun 23 Chicago, IL The Chicago Theatre SOLD OUT
Jun 24 Detroit, MI Masonic Temple Detroit
Jun 26 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall SOLD OUT
Jun 27 Boston, MA Wang Theatre
Jun 28 Philadelphia, PA The Met Philadelphia
Jun 30 Vienna, VA Filene Center
Jul 1 Northfield, OH MGM Northfield
Jul 2 Niagara, ON Fallsview Casino Resort SOLD OUT

Pride Month music news: Leetham EP "Kink' is out now

Leetham's new EP Kink is available now on streaming music platforms. The electro-pop artist pays homage to the LGBTQ+ community on songs that delve into gritty, pop-coded club music and more. 

STREAM KINK:
SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC | TIDAL

The EP was recorded early in 2025 in Provo, UT, with the main sonic inspiration self-described as a mix of Charli XCX and Fall Out Boy, while traces of Kim Petras and Slayyyter can also be found on Kink’s vocal moments and production elements - specifically in tracks like the electro-clash heavy “Scream” and “blackBOOTS”

“It explores sexuality and identity and celebrates the things that make me queer. The first track is about the complexities of intimacy. The second track is a party song, the third is about taking hate from others and turning it into power, and the fourth track takes a slow approach at discovering attraction to the same sex,” said leetham in a statement. 

ABOUT LEETHAM:

Originating from Salt Lake City, leetham's music celebrates queer expression and operates with the goal of including everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. Sonically serving elements of pop, electronica, and hyperpop, leetham has done opening slots for artists like CupcakKe, PHANGS, The Unlikely Candidates. 

Leetham's upcoming concert dates will be opening for Zee Machine. 

'Kink' Track Listing:

1. Scream

2. Black Boots

3. Hate Me

4. Turn Me On

Weezer Return with New Self-Titled Album in August; Fall Tour Includes LA, San Diego, Las Vegas

SoCal band Weezer announced a new album, Weezer, out August 21 via Reprise/Warner Records. Lead single, “We Might as Well Be Strangers” featuring Wednesday's Karly Hartzman, is available now.

After releasing blue, green, red, white, teal, and black albums, Weezer returns with a new color, gold, for the 20th album. Following a 30th anniversary tour that saw Weezer play their debut album in full, the band reconvened in Orange County – a midway point between where they all live in California – and essentially went back to where they started: in a rehearsal space, playing together, writing together, figuring out what they wanted to do next, and what the shape of that next project looked like.

The songs were written by three of the band’s four members, marking the first time Weezer frontman/guitarist Rivers Cuomo and drummer Pat Wilson had written the basics of a song together since their first album.

When it was time to record, the band chose two producers: Klas Ahlund and Kenneth Blume (FKA Kenny Beats). Kenny said he wanted to make “the most violent Weezer album ever.” While Klas took a more mathematical, stringent approach to recording, Kenny pushed the production to the “rock band in a room” feeling: no grid, no click track, no pitch correction. Drums were recorded with all four playing live, listening to each other and still re-shaping the songs.

Fans can presave the album now and an exclusive signed vinyl is available for presale on the band’s webstore HERE.

STREAM “WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS” FT. WEDNESDAY

WATCH THE “WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS” FT. WEDNESDAY MUSIC VIDEO HERE

PRE-SAVE WEEZER NOW

Earlier this year, the band announced their Weezer: The Gathering tour, a 32-date run across North America. They’re joined by The Shins and Silversun Pickups as support. In celebration of this announcement, the band hosted a week of events in Los Angeles, including Weezerpedia trivia, a pickleball tournament with fans, and more. For full tour routing and information on upcoming dates, visit Weezer’s website HERE.

Track listing:

Say Yes
Shine Again
Don't Make It Weird
We Might As Well Be Strangers ft. Wednesday
C.E.O.
Hoops
Nowhere
The Show Must Go On
Up In The Clouds
The LA Sound

Tour Dates:

Sat Jun 27 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Halifax Music Fest*
Tue Sep 08 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
Wed Sep 09 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Fri Sep 11 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Sat Sep 12 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Sun Sep 13 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Tue Sep 15 – West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
Wed Sep 16 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sun Sep 20 – Saint Paul, MN – Grand Casino Arena
Tue Sep 22 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Wed Sep 23 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Fri Sep 25 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Sat Sep 26 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
Sun Sep 27 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Tue Sep 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
Wed Sep 30 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Fri Oct 02 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
Sat Oct 03 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Sun Oct 04 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Tue Oct 06 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Wed Oct 07 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
Fri Oct 09 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Sat Oct 10 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Sun Oct 11 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
Tue Oct 13 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
Wed Oct 14 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
Fri Oct 16 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Sat Oct 17 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Sun Oct 18 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX
Tue Oct 20 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
Wed Oct 21 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Fri Oct 23 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
Sat Oct 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
* = Festival

Out now: 'Badges' by Britpop forerunner The Loft

The Loft

Badges
(Tapete)

Last year, Britpop forerunner The Loft released the winsome Everything Changes, Everything Stays the Same. 

It was the London band's debut full-length effort, having previously put out two mid-Eighties singles on a then-nascent Creation Records (later home to The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, Oasis and other influential acts) before swiftly breaking up.

Now singer/guitarist Pete Astor (also known for his tenure in The Weather Prophets) and the other original members - drummer Dave Morgan, bassist Bill Prince, and lead guitarist Andy Strickland - are back sooner than expected with Badges, another jangly indie pop gem.

Produced by Sean Read (Dexy's Midnight Runners, Edwyn Collins), Badges opens with the fast-paced "Happenstance," which had its genesis with the last Loft lineup before it split up. "Sad Comedian," the first of several highlights, boasts a T Rex-inspired rhythm. The sublime "Campervan" is Astor's subtle tribute to people who vacation around England in compact vans while living in their vehicle. The darker hued "Goodbye Saturday Night" details the ritual of going out on the town and finds Astor intriguingly namechecking real UK locations. Another standout is the harmoniously retro "C'mon Let's Hear it For the Now." Then there's the mysterious-sounding "Junk Shop," about looking for love and loosely based on a W.B. Yeats writing.

You might like if you enjoy: Lloyd Cole, Nick Lowe, The Church, Robyn Hitchcock, 1960s psychedelia

To purchase: the-loft.bandcamp.com

Out Now: 'Tracks from the Attic Revisited,' New Album by David J of Bauhaus, Love and Rockets Fame; SoCal Shows Soon

David J (David John Haskins) - best known for his stints in Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Tones on Tail and more - just released his 'Tracks from the Attic Revisited' album. The 10 songs were originally among 37 home recordings on Tracks From the Attic, a 2024 triple album released by Independent Project Records in 2024. Some were reshaped and rewritten, to be later reinterpreted and recorded with a full band. 

Tracks From the Attic Revisited was produced by David J, with the British musician also handling vocals and acoustic guitar. Other contributors are: Jason Roberts (guitar), Jon Bernstein (piano, organ), Tony Green (bass), David Raven (drums), Dan Clucas (trumpet), Robert “Smokey” Miles (accordion), John Courage (lap steel) and Stephen Perkins from Jane’s Addiction (congas).

The frequently enchanting album is highlighted by the catchy "I Wish Those Spacemen Would Come," where Haskins sings about "oligarchs and tech bros," and a jangly guitar leads the way; "Leaning Towards the Falls," a ballad bolstered by gorgeous twinkling piano work; the laid-back groove of "The Most Beautiful Girls in the World" (who "are on Sunset Blvd. and Times Square"); and the swelling organ-enhanced "All The Pilgrims."  

Album formats include black or gold LP, special edition CD, and digital formats. Order here via Independent Project Records (IPR).

David J begins a run of select cross-country shows at LA's Zebulon on June 8 for a record release party; more TBA (see list below). 

Track List:

1. I Wish Those Spacemen Would Come (Revisited)
2. If Muzak Be the Junk Food of Love (Revisited)
3. The Most Beautiful Girls in the World (Revisited)
4. Leaning Towards the Falls (Revisited)
5. Homo Sapien Blues (Revisited)
6. I’ll Put Off Thinking About You for Awhile (Revisited)
7. New Year’s Day (Revisited)
8. All The Pilgrims (Revisited)
9. Vincent in the Flames (Revisited)
10. Punishment By Roses (Revisited)

Tour Dates:

6/08 Zebulon, Los Angeles, CA. (Record Release Party)
6/09 Casbah, San Diego, CA
6/12 Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music (in conversation with Martin Atkins, Chicago, IL
6/15 Ypsi Ale House, Ypsilanti, MI
6/16 Ritual, Ann Arbor, MI
6/18 Electric Gardens Studio, Atlanta, GA
6/20 House Party, Raleigh, NC
6/24 House Party, Ashville, NC
6/27 Dex Fest, Chapel Hill, NC

More about Tracks from the Attic and Revisited:

When David J first went digging through boxes of old tapes, he uncovered demos recorded over four decades and approached material that sometimes he had no recollection of having written as when producing another artist’s music.

The old home recordings became new demos for Revisited: ideas were reworked, lyrics were adjusted when they showed a potential to narrate more recent life events. Once reshaped, the songs were shared with musicians who convened at Ear Gallery Music in Los Angeles.

“The demos were like neglected little seeds that had been set aside, or fallen on fallow land,” David J says. “They’ve been gathered up, nurtured, tended and brought back to life as little buds. Now this is the bloom.”

Nineties UK Rock Band Gene to Make First US Live Appearances in Nearly a Quarter Century This Winter

photo: Jim Mitcham

Since I interviewed the band during its heyday, I'm hoping to catch the SoCal appearance...

Veteran Britpop band Gene will do its first North American shows in 24 years, after reuniting last year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Olympian.

Original members Martin Rossiter (vocals), Matt James (drums), Steve Mason (guitars) and Kevin Miles (bass) shared the stage together again for the first time since a farewell show in London in 2004.

After a run of sold-out UK shows earlier this year, and the release of the live album, ‘Apollo’, recorded at the band’s return in London last October, Gene will play select dates in North America this November, which include the Darker Waves festival on November 14. Ensuring what will be a very welcome return to these shores after an absence of over two decades, Martin Rossiter says, “In this increasingly bleak world, come and throw your arms in the air, and your legs if you must, for an evening of vim and vigour.”

After being approached at the end of 2024 about the possibility of playing again as Gene by Creation Records founder Alan McGee and Toura Toura’s Kevin Fitzgerald, the four band members met for the first time in many years, and the speed at which things have progressed since is testament to the group’s enduring passion and immediate reconnection.

“All four of us met up, probably for the first time since our last gig (in 2004), and it immediately felt just like it had always been,” explains Matt James. “We were always very self-depreciating as a group and the banter quickly kicked back in. After a few quips barked across the pub table we relaxed and we all laughed a lot. Straightaway it felt like we were a band again.”
“We all put our energy into making this musically spectacular,” explains Martin. “Within five minutes, the conversations between the four of us had reached the point of, 'how do we make this brilliant?' So that drive is still there, the dynamic was still there and so I started daydreaming about what it would be like to waggle my – slightly larger – ass on the stage one more time.”

Gene formed in 1993 and made their debut with the single For The Dead the following year on the indie label Costermonger, which was founded especially for the release by the journalists and authors Keith Cameron and Roy Wilkinson. Limited to 1,994 copies, the seven-inch sold out in two days.

The band’s debut album, Olympian, arrived in 1995, with singles Sleep Well Tonight, Haunted By You, and the title track – and would reach the UK Top 10. Olympian was followed in 1996 by rarities and b-side collection To See The Lights, before second full album, Drawn To The Deep End, also went straight into the UK Top 10 in 1997, with hits Fighting Fit, We Could Be Kings, Where Are They Now? and Speak To Me Someone. 1999’s Revelations and 2002's Libertine came next. 

Reflecting the live reputation the band enjoyed throughout their career – both for their shows and as festival favorites – Gene’s then final gig took place at the London Astoria on December 16th, 2004.

In their absence, Gene’s influence has still been keenly felt, not only earning continued plays on UK radio stations including BBC 6 Music and Absolute, while enjoying growing streaming numbers, but the group’s entire back catalogue was re-pressed on vinyl in 2020, alongside the release of new best of collection, Yours For The Taking. 

While Olympian’s 30th birthday year added a great sense of occasion for the band and fans alike, the four-piece was keen to ensure the London show (and all future shows) was a celebration of everything Gene stood for. “Olympian’s anniversary was a good reason for doing it, but we looked forward to playing songs from all of our career,” says Matt. “It’s a lot of fun playing as Gene again.”

In celebration of the band’s return, a live album, ‘Apollo’, has just been released. More than 5,000 fans packed the sold-out Hammersmith Apollo in London last October.

The LP showcases some of the band’s best-known songs — including Olympian, We Could Be Kings, Speak to Me Someone, Fighting Fit, and For the Dead — alongside deeper cuts, B-sides, and rarities specially rehearsed for the show. 

Track listing:

1. London, Can You Wait?
2. Be My Light, Be My Guide
3. We Could Be Kings
4. Where Are They Now?
5. Truth Rest Your Head
6. Your Love It Lies
7. Longsleeves For The Summer
8. Sleep Well Tonight
9. Save Me I’m Yours
10. O Lover
11. Speak To Me Someone
12. A Car That Sped
13. Walking In The Shallows
14. Haunted By You
15. Olympian
16. For The Dead
17. Sick, Sober & Sorry
18. Fighting Fit
19. I Can’t Help Myself
20. Who Said This Was The End?

Live shows:

Jun 26 - Southampton, UK - The Brook
Jun 27 - Newport, UK - Corn Exchange
Jun 28 - Lancaster, UK - Kanteena
Sep 25 - Valencia, ES - Visorfest
Oct 9 - London, UK - The Roundhouse
Oct 10 - London, UK - The Roundhouse
Nov 12 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Nov 14 - Huntingdon Beach, CA - Darker Waves Festival
Nov 16 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
Nov 17 - Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
Nov 19 - Washington, D.C - Howard Theatre
Nov 20 - New York, NY - Sony Hall

Tickets available from all venues and www.geneofficial.com

Little Big Town To Unveil New Album in August

Little Big Town – Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook – have announced their 12th studio album, It’s A Dying Art, arriving August 28 via MCA. Co-produced by Gena Johnson and Fairchild, the release features collaborations with Ashley Monroe, Jason Isbell, and Kelsea Ballerini.

The album is available for pre-order now in multiple physical and digital configurations, including CD, vinyl and retailer-exclusive variants. LittleBigTown.com will feature limited runs of exclusive signed and special color vinyl editions. Pre-order/pre-save HERE.

Latest single “Over and Over” was co-written by Fairchild, Ashley Ray, Jonnie Simpson and Madi Yanofsky. The group debuted it live at this year’s Stagecoach. Listen HERE. Earlier this month, the group debuted the first offering from the upcoming album, “Hey There Sunshine” at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards. Watch the video HERE.

Track listing:

1. Intro
2. Sucker For A Sad Song (with Ashley Monroe)
3. The Door (with Jason Isbell)
4. Dying Art
5. Hey There Sunshine
6. Over And Over
7. The Idea
8. We Could Have It All
9. Crickets
10. Closing Time (with Kelsea Ballerini)
11. Long Way To Your Heart
12. It's Coming Around
13. Jet Plane