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The story of Blancmange is one of two distinct chapters. In the early '80s, they infused the emerging synth-pop scene with indirect lyrics, wry British humor and sometimes tabla-tinged sounds, an unlikely mix that took them to the Top 10 with singles like 'Living On The Roof', 'Blindsight' and 'Don't Tell Me'.
And since 2011 white burn album, they have taken that singular style into a new century and in some ways have become more prolific than ever. Now Blancmange brings together all (well, 38 to be precise) of these highlights along with his career-spanning collection. Everything is connectedreleased on London Records on May 11, 2024.
Everything is connected shows that Blancmange's roads less traveled are as notable as his greatest hits. While some of the songs may be new to you, their textures are familiar: primary-colored electronic elements with a hidden edge or a rain-splattered bleakness that's somehow comforting, often delivered with blunt northern humor. It's like discovering new rooms in a house you thought you knew.
Vocalist and songwriter Neil Arthur says: “I'm very lucky to be able to make music completely on my own terms. Inside me there are no limits, there is a huge palette inside and I will try anything.”
Blancmange's story has also taken unexpected forms. Neil met multi-instrumentalist Stephen Luscombe at Harrow Art School in 1979. As synthesizers were not available, they played with homemade experimental instruments, which at least sounded vaguely like synthesizers. Signing to London Records in February 1982, they embarked on one of synth-pop's great imperial phases. These were Radio One hits secretly fueled by Can and Captain Beefheart, making the band a regular fixture on the charts and Top of The Pops, but after half a decade and ten UK hits, the shine had begun to fade. Against the backdrop of the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall, in 1986, Blancmange raised the curtain on the first part of its story.
Neil and Stephen stayed in touch, often joking that one day they should do more things together. Over time, they realized they weren't actually joking about it and resurfaced some 25 years later with the acclaimed 2011 album. white burn. Sadly, Stephen left shortly after due to health issues, but reconnecting with the spirit of Blancmange opened up a surprisingly prolific side of Neil, resulting in seven more Blancmange albums in the space of a decade (not including the series instrumental Nil By Mouth). of all of which appear in Everything is connected. In 2022 and about 40 years after the release of their debut Happy FamiliesBlancmange re-signed with London Records for their most recent album, private view (2022), happily closing a circle and demonstrating once again that everything is indeed connected.
Accompanying the collection is new track 'Again, I Wait For The World' (released March 13), although “new” is, admittedly, a half-truth. Neil had first written the song with his pre-Blanhmange band, L360, back in 1979. It kept bothering him, so 45 years later, he finally finished it. Interestingly, some parts simultaneously sound like they come from 1979 and 2024, but overall, they don't sound like they come from either. With its distinctive vocals, tongue-in-cheek wordplay, and a deft blend of future electronics and vintage synths, it's a testament to Neil's inimitable and enduring creativity.
Neil Arthur will continue Everything is connected with a Blancmange headlining tour, including a London show at Islington Assembly Hall (tickets available) HERE. In inimitable Blancmange style, support comes from Neil himself on one of his many other collaborative projects, The Remainder, completed by Finlay Shakespeare and Liam Hutton.
'EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED' 2CD / DIGITAL TRACK LIST:
CD1
1. 'Sad Day' (original version)
2. 'I have seen the word'
3. 'God's kitchen'
4. 'Feel me'
5. 'Living on the roof'
6. 'Waves'
7. 'Game Over My Head' (12-inch version)
8. 'Blindsight'
9. 'That's love, that's it'
10. 'Vishnu'
11. 'Don't tell me'
12. 'The day before you came'
13. 'What's your problem?'
14. 'Lose your love'
15. 'Why don't you just leave things alone?'
16. 'Take me'
17. 'I'm having coffee'
18. 'The West'
19. 'Just another specter'
CD2
1. 'The Fall'
2. 'Last night (I dreamed I had a job)'
3. 'Knife Jack'
4. 'What time is it?'
5. “We are the chemicals”
6. 'Anna cena'
7. 'Distant Storm'
8. 'I broke your phone'
9. 'It's not a priority'
10. 'Mentality'
11. 'This is happiness'
12. 'Clean your house'
13. 'Commercial Break'
14. 'Sometimes these'
15. 'Reduced voltage'
16. 'Take me'
17. 'Again, I hope for the world'
18. 'Wish'
19. 'Empty street'
VINYL TRACK LIST:
side one
1. 'Living on the roof'
2. 'Waves'
3. 'Blindsight'
4. 'Don't tell me'
5. 'The day before you came'
side two
1. 'What time is it?'
2. 'Distant Storm'
3. 'Mentality'
4. 'Reduced voltage'
5. 'Sometimes these'
TOUR DATES:
CAN
16 – Newcastle, Wylam Brewery
17 – Glasgow, St. Luke's
18 – Birmingham, O2 Institute
23 – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
24 – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
25 – Manchester, Academy 2
26 – Colchester, Arts Center
31 – Bristol, Trinidad
JUNE
1st – London, Islington Assembly Hall
2nd – Brighton, Old Market
3rd – Southampton, 1865
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