Lloyd Cole enlists a couple former Commotions on new album set for summer

Lloyd Cole will release his new album Guesswork on July 26 on the earMUSIC label. Recorded (mostly) in his attic studio in Massachusetts, Guesswork is produced by Lloyd, with executive production from Chris Hughes.

Cole collaborated with three other musicians on Guesswork, most notable of whom are two former bandmates – guitarist Neil Clark and keyboard player Blair Cowan – who found themselves all working together on an album for the first time since The Commotions’ swansong Mainstream in 1987.

However anyone expecting a Commotions sound will be on the wrong tack: Guesswork is predominantly an "electronic" album. Cole, Cowan and another longtime associate Fred Maher (drummer on Cole’s early solo albums and his last album 2013’s Standards) have fashioned the Guesswork sound from classic and modern keyboard, modular and drum synthesizers, though guitars do feature.

Says Cole, “When I was 27, the concept of the washed up older guy seemed very entertaining. Now I’m starting to think that old age could be a lot more fun. Because really what have we got to lose?”

Lloyd Cole has released 14 studio albums including three with The Commotions Rattlesnakes (84), Easy Pieces (’85), Mainstream (’87)] nine solo albums Lloyd Cole (’90), Don’t Get Weird On Me Babe (’91), Bad Vibes (’93), Love Story (95), Plastic Wood (’01), Music In A Foreign Language (’03), Anti Depressant (’06), Broken Record (’10), Standards(’13)], one with The Negatives (The Negatives (2000)) and one with Hans Joachim Roedelius (Selected Studies Vol. 1 (’13)).

The portrait of Lloyd that graces the cover of Guesswork is by Glasgow Art School graduate and former singer of The Big Dish, Steven Lindsay.

Track listing:

1. The Over Under
2. Night Sweats
3. Violins
4. Remains
5. The Afterlife
6. Moments and Whatnot
7. When I Came Down From The Mountain
8. The Loudness Wars

All songs are by Lloyd Cole apart from "Remains" and "When I Came Down From The Mountain," which were written by Cole and Cowan. The album will be available on CD, vinyl, DL and streaming platforms.

Lloyd Cole will tour the UK and Ireland in October. Neil Clark will accompany him. The full list of dates is:

OCTOBER

5 NEWCASTLE Tyne Theatre & Opera House
7 KILMARNOCK Palace Theatre
8 ABERDEEN Tivoli Theatre
10 DUNDEE The Gardyne Theatre
11 HAMILTON Townhouse
12 EDINBURGH Queens Hall
14 LIVERPOOL The Philharmonic Hall
15 LEEDS Town Hall
16 BUXTON Opera House
18 BIRMINGHAM Town Hall
19 GUILDFORD G Live
20 SALISBURY City Hall
21 NORTHAMPTON Derngate Theatre
23 BASINGSTOKE The Anvil & The Forge
24 LONDON Union Chapel
25 LONDON Union Chapel
29 KILKENNY The Set Theatre
30 DUBLIN Vicar Street

NOVEMBER

1 CORK Live At St Lukes
2 LIMERICK Dolans Warehouse
3 GALWAY Roisin Dubh
4 BELFAST The Belfast Empire Music Hall

Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.lloydcole.com/live/