Noel Gallagher Announces New Album And … His Divorce
It has been a remarkable 48 hours! Noel Gallagher. In the span of two days, the former Oasis guitarist/songwriter announced he and his partner of 22-plus years were getting divorced and then hours later that he’d release a new album in June and play a host of major U.K. live dates.
Gallagher’s fourth album with High Flying Birds, Council Skies, due June 2 on Sour Mash Records Following the recent lead single “Pretty Boy” featuring the Smiths’ Johnny Marr, the next preview out today (Jan. 17) is “Easy Now, augmented by a video featuring Milly Alcock from HBO’s House of the Dragon.
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Especially in the U.K. tabloids, it was hard not to feel like the news was overshadowed by the developments in Gallagher’s personal life. Gallagher announced his split with Sara MacDonald on Sunday. The end of a long-standing partnership that began in 2000, and was celebrated in 2011 with the announcement of their marriage. Their two sons are 15 and 12.
Gallagher intends to keep the spotlight on his new music. It is said that it is an homage to his Manchester upbringing. The artwork finds Gallagher set up as if to perform in Maine Road Football Stadium, the former home of his “beloved” soccer team Manchester City FC.
“It’s going back to the beginning. Daydreaming, looking up at the sky and wondering about what life could be — that’s as true to me now as it was in the early ‘90s,” Gallagher says. “When I was growing up in poverty and unemployment, music took me out of that,” he says. “Top of the Pops on TV transformed your Thursday night into this fantasy world, and that’s what I think music should be. I want my music to be elevating and transforming in some way.”
Limited editions of digital and deluxe editions Council Skies include remixed by the Cure’s Robert Smith, Pet Shop Boys, and a Radio 2 Session version of Oasis’ “Live Forever.” Marr plays on two other tracks on the album.
Gallagher & High Flying Birds will be playing six shows in the U.K. during July and August.
Here’s the track listing Council Skies:
I’m Not Giving Up Tonight
Pretty Boy
The World is Still Dead
Look through the door and see what you find
Trying To Find a World That’s Been And Gone
Make it easy!
Council Skies
She Blows!
Love is a Rich Man
A Number is a number.
We’re Gonna Get There in the End (bonus track)
Here are Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds’ U.K. tour dates:
July 21: Buckinghamshire (PennFest).
July 28: London, Crystal Palace Bowl
Aug. 5: Saffron Waldon, Essex (Audley End)
August 19: Monmouthshire (Caldicot Castle).
Aug. 20: Sedgefield, Country Durham Hardwick Festival)
Aug. 26: Manchester, Wythenshawe Park
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