The The Announce First New Studio Album In A Quarter Century
THE THE, one of the most acclaimed and cherished bands of the last few decades, have announced details of the release of Ensoulment, their first studio album of new songs in a quarter century.
This 12-song album will be released on Cinéola / earMUSIC on Friday, September 6.
Encompassing characteristic topics ranging from love & sex, war & politics, life & death – to the meaning of what it is to be human in the 21st century – Ensoulment was written, demoed and mixed at Studio Cinéola in London, the base of THE THE’s main creative force, Matt Johnson.
The songs were further refined in rehearsals ahead of a six-day session at Real World Studios near Bath, where Matt was joined by long-standing THE THE members James Eller (bass), DC Collard (keyboards), Earl Harvin (drums), and Barrie Cadogan (lead guitar). The album also marks the return of co-producer and engineer Warne Livesey, who previously worked on landmark THE THE albums Infected (1986) and Mind Bomb (1989). Additional performances include Gillian Glover (backing vocals), Terry Edwards (horns), Sonya Cullingford (fiddle) and Danny Cummings (percussion).
Over the years, THE THE’s releases have developed a distinct aesthetic style, which in no small part owes to the artwork of Matt Johnson’s late brother Andrew (AKA artist Andy Dog). Ensoulment proudly features some of Andrew’s previously unpublished works on the cover, in the exquisitely designed 32-page booklet for the vinyl and CD formats, as well as on the covers of all singles.
The album will be available in retail as Ltd. CD Hardcover Mediabook, CD Jewelcase, Black 2LP Gatefold and Ltd. Crystal Clear 2LP Gatefold.
Pre orders available now https://TheThe.lnk.to/EnsoulmentPR
‘Cognitive Dissident’ is the first single from the album, written by Matt Johnson and Barrie Cadogan.
It will also be released as one of three strictly limited 7” Vinyl Singles, made available until album release, including an additional previously unreleased B-side on June 7.
THE THE also recently announced another world tour, commencing September 2024, the band’s first since their hugely successful The Comeback Special world tour in 2018. Even before the announcement of Ensoulment, the Ensouled world tour has been selling out fast.
ANZ TOUR – NOV 2024
14 November – Auckland, New Zealand SOLD OUT
16 November 2024 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia SOLD OUT
17 November 2024 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
18 November 2024 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide, Australia
21 November 2024 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
22 November 2024 –Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
23 November 2024 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, Australia SOLD OUT
24 November 2024 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, Australia
27 November 2024 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth, Australia
Tickets here www.thethe.com/tour-dates
Tracklisting (CD/2LP):
Side A
Cognitive Dissident
Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave Of William Blake
Zen & The Art Of Dating
Side B
Kissing The Ring Of POTUS
Life After Life
I Want To Wake Up With You
Side C
Down By The Frozen River
Risin’ Above The Need
Linoleum Smooth To The
Stockinged Foot
Side D
Where Do We Go When We Die?
I Hope You Remember
(the things I can’t forget)
A Rainy Day In May
