Pulp, Britpop Icons, Set to Release First Album in 24 Years and Debut New Track ‘Spike Island’
Britpop icons Pulp have made a long-awaited comeback with the announcement of their first album in 24 years. This exciting news came during an interview on Lauren Laverne’s BBC 6 Music show, where the band revealed that their new record, titled More, will be released on June 6 through Rough Trade. Fans have been eagerly anticipating this album, as it marks Pulp’s first release since 2001’s We Love Life.
The band, fronted by the charismatic Jarvis Cocker, teased fans with a taste of what’s to come by sharing the lead single “Spike Island.” This track serves as a teaser for the rest of the album, which promises to deliver the signature sound that fans have come to know and love from Pulp. The songwriting process for More began during the band’s reunion tour in 2023 when they started playing new songs like “Hymn of the North,” “Background Noise,” and of course, “Spike Island.”
In a statement accompanying the album announcement, Cocker shared insights into the creative process behind More. He mentioned that some of the songs on the album were born out of ideas dating back to the last century, with music contributions from former Pulp member Richard Hawley and Jason Buckle of the All Seeing I. The Eno family even lent their voices as backing vocalists on one of the tracks. String arrangements on the album were created by Richard Jones and performed by the Elysian Collective.
Recording for More took place in Walthamstow, London, over three short weeks with producer James Ford, marking the quickest turnaround time for a Pulp album. Cocker emphasized that the album’s creation was a natural and seamless process, with no artificial intelligence involved in the making of the music. The current lineup of Pulp includes Cocker, Candida Doyle on keyboards, Nick Banks on drums, and Mark Webber on guitar, with the notable absence of bass player Steve Mackey, who passed away in 2023.
Excitement for Pulp’s return is running high, with the band gearing up for a series of live shows in the UK, with plans to co-headline several concerts with LCD Soundsystem in North America later in the year. The tracklist for More includes songs like “Tina,” “Grown Ups,” “My Sex,” and “The Hymn of the North,” promising fans a diverse and captivating listening experience.
Pulp’s return to the music scene after over two decades has reignited the passion of their dedicated fan base and is sure to attract new listeners eager to hear the innovative sound that the band is famous for. With the release of More on the horizon, music enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to from these Britpop legends.