Albert Hammond Jr has revealed his fourth studio album Francis Trouble is to be release on March 9th. It tackles a deeply personal subject – the stillborn death of his twin brother, and the lingering effects that event has had in his life and music. In November of 1979, Hammond Jr’s mother, Claudia, miscarried. Although they rushed to the hospital, Claudia and Albert Hammond Sr. were told that the baby was far too premature to live. Albert continued to grow inside of his mother undetected until she was nearly six months pregnant.
Although he had always known of the existence of Francis, it was not until he was 36 years old that he learned from an aunt that part of Francis had remained behind in the womb and was born alongside him – a fingernail. With his music moving in a different path than before, Hammond Jr wondered if this new direction came from another avenue of himself, perhaps emanating from whatever he and the departed Francis had shared for the few short months they had together.
The first glimpse of the album comes in the shape of a track, Muted Beatings. It still has the essence of his earlier work (and that of The Strokes) but it’s restless, anxious almost as Hammond Jr goes over the things in his head, lyrically, trying to make sense of things, as the music does the same, repeating, changing and creating something that completely grabs your attention. Check it out, here
In celebration of Francis Trouble Albert will be on tour with The Killers which kicks off tonight at The Staples Center in Los Angeles CA. After a very short break, Albert will cross the pond for a run overseas with Franz Ferdinand followed by a US headlining tour. A full list of dates can be found below.
Preorder Francis Trouble:
https://ffm.to/francistrouble
Stream ‘Muted Beatings’:
https://ffm.to/mutedbeatings
Albert Hammond Jr On Tour
2/13 Manchester UK @ Albert Hall*
2/14 Nottingham UK @ Rock City*
2/16 Newcastle Upon Tyne UK @ O2 Academy*
2/17 Glasgow UK @ O2 Academy*
2/19 Leeds UK @ O2 Academy*
2/20 Birmingham UK @ O2 Academy*
2/21 Bristol UK @ O2 Academy*
2/23 Cambridge UK @ Corn Exchange*
2/24 Brixton UK @ O2 Brixton Academy*
2/25 Brighton UK @ Brighton Dome*
3/01 London UK @ Dingwalls
* w/ Franz Ferdinand
