This September, Matt Johnson’s The The will release “Ensoulment”, their first studio album for almost 25 years. Encompassing characteristic topics ranging from love & sex, war & politics, life & death – to “the meaning of what it is to be human in the 21st century” “Ensoulment” was written, demoed and mixed at Studio Cinéola in London, the base of the band’s frontman and creative force, Matt Johnson.
The songs were later refined in rehearsals ahead of a six-day session at Real World Studios near Bath, where Matt was joined by long-standing band members James Eller (bass), DC Collard (keyboards), Earl Harvin (drums), and Barrie Cadogan (lead guitar). The album has been co-produced by Warne Livesey, who previously worked on “Infected“ (1986) and “Mind Bomb” (1989).
“Ensoulment” features some of Matt Johnson’s late brother Andrew (AKA Andy Dog)’s artwork, both on the front cover and in the booklets for vinyl and CD, maintaining the distinctive visual language of the past.
The The’s last proper album was 2000’s “NakedSelf”. Since then Matt has concentrated on soundtrack work. In 2021 the band toured for the first time in decades, resulting in The Comeback Special album/box set which was filmed/recorded at the Royal Albert Hall.
The first single from the album is ‘Cognitive Dissident’, “Ensoulment” is a 12-track album and is available as a hardcover media book CD set with 32-page booklet (no bonus tracks). There’s also a jewel case version. On vinyl, this is a 2LP set with black and indie ‘crystal clear’ vinyl options available. All vinyl editions come with a large format 32-page booklet to show off Andy Dog’s art.
“Ensoulment” will be released on 6th September 2024 via EarMusic.
The Fat Angel Sings 