Renowned musician, producer, and author Mark Rae is set to release New Town Ghosts, an ambitious multimedia project that combines his novel of the same name with a companion album, New Town Ghosts – Songs From The Novel By Mark Rae.
The album, slated for release on April 11th, is introduced by its first single, The Place I Call My Home, launching January 17th. This unique creative vision brings together Rae’s skills as a storyteller and musician, crafting an immersive experience that explores themes of childhood friendship, the natural world, and the spirit realm.
With a storied career spanning decades, Rae’s influence on the music industry is profound. As one half of Rae & Christian, he’s crafted iconic albums like Northern Sulphuric Soul and collaborated with legends such as Bobby Womack, Foster The People, and Jazzy Jeff. Beyond his work as a producer and remixer for over 100 artists—including Dinah Washington, Jay Z, and The Jungle Brothers—Mark Rae’s innovative sound has garnered over 50 million streams and multiple platinum records.
The first single from New Town Ghosts showcases the intimate storytelling and rich musicality that can be expected across the full album. Blending elements of funk, soul into a tight, melodic and intricate pop packed, the track is at once alternative yet strikingly accessible. Layers of synth, live drums, bopping bass and biting guitar underpin the deceptively catchy melodies of the central lead vocal.
Mark Rae describes New Town Ghosts as an innate personal project that unites his skills as a storyteller and musician. “This project represents a high-water mark in my creative output. I wanted to explore themes of childhood friendship, our relationship with nature, and the spirit world,” he says. “Set during the summer of 1976 in a Northumbrian new town, the story reflects the innocence and wonder of growing up during a unique time in history, intertwined with the emotional resonance of the music.”
The project also aligns with Rae’s commitment to raising awareness of critical social issues, including neurodiversity, childhood poverty, and environmental change. With single releases through the year, New Town Ghosts is a multimedia project which combines Mark Rae’s passion for music and writing, a creative endeavour which is intimate and heartfelt yet strikingly ambitious. Keep an eye out in the come months as the project unfolds ahead of the book and album’s full release.
Pre-order the book and album here: mark-rae.com/collections/all
Listen to the new single below:
