Former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft returns with a new album, These People, his forth solo outing, on 20th May via his onw Righteous Phonographic Association label, and through Cooking Vinyl. Its been some six years since the Brit and Ivor Novello winning artist had an album out, although things have been on the horizon since his handful of rare and unannounced solo appearances last year, and a festival date at Mexico’s Corona Capital in front of 30,000 last Novemeber.
The first glimspe of whats to expect from the new album comes in the shape of a single, This is how it feels. Its all gentle, mainly acoustic sauntering, with added spice given by the almost static organ and synth lines that inhabit the background. Over the top is Ashcroft’s recognisable baritone, supported with plenty of vocal harmony as he lays down his thoughts and heart in a angsty and rather beautifully melancholy record. Big things are expected.
