After rolling out a taster in the acclaimed Violins and Tambourines, “a broody string-strewn ‘Spanish Sahara’-esque Bond-voyage”, according to Drowned in Sound, and treating fans to a free download of the magnificently dark and moody In a Moment, now they’re ready to release this new 10-track LP.
Written by Kelly Jones and produced by Kelly Jones and Jim Lowe, it’s the final piece in the puzzle for a newly refined and cinematic Stereophonics, a band who have already had the Sunday Times Culture calling this album their “least conventional yet”, praising its “newfound lightness of touch.” The album also sees the band collaborate with English film composer David Arnold who arranged strings on several tracks.
A storyteller first and foremost, Kelly Jones unravels storylines and sketches characters with poetic finesse – he has also written and directed the videos for two songs taken from the album, as well as for the first single, ‘Indian Summer’.
“I found myself walking into a studio with 40 unfinished ideas, rather than 10 finished ones,” says Kelly on the album’s genesis. “And by doing that the songs became way more unpredictable…the band and everyone involved had a good time doing it because we knew we were doing something we hadn’t done before.”
Stereophonics are Kelly Jones – vocals/guitar, Richard Jones – bass, Adam Zindani – guitar and Jamie Morrison – drums.