Kings Of Leon performing for NBC’s Today Show (Photo: Paul Bachmann for Live4ever)
New music from Kings Of Leon and the European leg of Usher‘s Past Present Future tour were some of our biggest headlines from the past week.
Kings Of Leon have confirmed the details of their new album Can We Please Have Fun.
It will mark the band’s debut on Capitol Records when it’s released on May 10th after sessions with producer Kid Harpoon at Dark Horse studios.
Accompanying the album announcement was news that they’ll headline the BST concert series at Hyde Park in London on June 30th, joined by chief supports Paolo Nutini and The Vaccines.
Paul Weller will release the 28th album of his career on May 24th.
66 has been announced with its lead single Soul Wandering, which features Bobby Gillespie, while further collaborations are to come from Suggs on Ship Of Fools and, of course, Noel Gallagher on Jumble Queen.
The news has arrived not long before Weller is due to head out on a UK tour in April.
Natasha Khan will release her next Bat For Lashes record on May 31st.
The Dream Of Delphi is to mark her debut on the Mercury KX label, and is confirmed with a video for its title track – described as, ‘the manifesto of the album’.
“It’s like a spell being cast. It’s the conjuring, the manifestation, the drawing-down of Delphi from the ether. This is me calling on her soul.”
Usher by Bellamy Brewster
Fresh off the Superbowl half-time show, and with a lengthy run of North American gigs already announced, Usher has confirmed he’ll be bring his Past Present Future tour to Europe next year.
“Europe, you ready? After the epic experience at the Super Bowl and the huge demand for shows across North America, I’m happy to announce I’m coming your way as well – for shows in London, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.”
“This tour is both a celebration of the past 30 years and a glimpse into the future. We are just getting started!”
Kasabian will be back on July 5th with their new album Happenings.
Last week’s single Call was the first track written for the new LP – ‘the launchpad’, according to Serge Pizzorno:
“Quieter on the verses, loud for the chorus – it’s dance music! The first bit is where you get ready, the second bit is where we all go crazy. It’s really fun and just feels like now. When I finished the track, I felt I wanted to go to a gig by whoever was behind it. Everything for this album was informed by that way of working.”
The Mysterines will release their new album Afraid Of Tomorrows on June 7th.
Lead single Stray is out now with a video directed by Matilda Harding-Kemp – it focuses on the, ‘aimless and untamed nature of the polarities of behaviour that we experience when dealing with suffering’, according to Lia Metcalfe:
“Whether it’s guilt, paranoia or unexplained feelings of grandiosity. Often when the hands of loneliness have a firm grip over one’s eyes it can turn dangers into open doors inviting you in. We find a certain point of no return and we’re often led astray.”
