THE THE, one of the most acclaimed and beloved bands of recent decades, has announced details of the release of Animation, their first studio album of new songs in a quarter of a century. This 12-song album will be released on Cinéola/earMUSIC on Friday, September 6, 2024.
Covering distinctive themes ranging from love and sex, war and politics, life and death – to the meaning of what it is to be human in the 21st century – Animation was written, tested and mixed at Studio Cinéola in London, the base of THE THE's main creative force, Matt Johnson.
The songs were further refined in rehearsals before a six-day session at Real World Studios near Bath, where Matt was joined by former THE THE members James Eller (bass), DC Collard (keyboards), Earl Harvin (drums), and Barrie Cadogan (lead guitar). The album also marks the return of co-producer and engineer Warne Livesey, who previously worked on THE THE's landmark albums. Infected (1986) and Mind bomb (1989). Additional performances include Gillian Glover (backing vocals), Terry Edwards (trumpets), Sonya Cullingford (violin) and Danny Cummings (percussion).
Over the years, THE THE's releases have developed a distinctive aesthetic style, which is largely due to the artwork of Matt Johnson's late brother Andrew (aka artist Andy Dog). Animation proudly features some of Andrew's unreleased work on the cover, in the exquisitely designed 32-page booklet for the vinyl and CD formats, as well as on the covers of all the singles.
The Ensoulment track listing is as follows:
1. Cognitive dissident
2. Some days I drink coffee next to William Blake's grave
3. Zen and the art of dating
4. Kissing the president's ring
5. Life after life
6. I want to wake up with you
7. Down by the frozen river
8. Overcoming the need
9. Linoleum soft to the foot with socks
10. Where do we go when we die?
11. I hope you remember (the things I can't forget)
12. A rainy day in May
Listen to 'Cognitive Dissident' BELOW:
'Cognitive Dissident' is the first single from the album, written by Matt Johnson and Barrie Cadogan and released digitally today, May 17. The single will also be available as a limited edition 7” with a previously unreleased B-side on June 7.
Having last released a studio album in 2000 (NakedSelf), Johnson's long absence was partly explained in his 2017 multimedia project, Inertia variationswhich was inspired by British poet John Tottenham's 2005 book of the same name (particularly the idea that “melancholy, abstraction and evasion” get in the way of the creative process) resulted in a feature-length documentary and the Radio Cinéola Trilogy Triple album box set.
At the end of The Selfdocumentary nertia variations, Johnson was filmed performing a new song live in his studio; 'We Ca n't Stop What's Coming' is an elegy to his older brother Andrew (aka artist Andy Dog), who passed away in 2016. “It wasn't an easy song to write.” he says. “That was the first time I sang in many years. “I enjoyed it but found it very emotional.”
The experience prompted Johnson to revive THE THE as a live band, leading to the sold-out The Comeback Special world tour in 2018. Unfortunately, COVID delayed the release of the live film and accompanying album until 2021, in addition to hindering the planned start. writing and recording Animation. Instead, THE THE released a series of 7-inch singles: 'We Can't Stop What's Coming' was followed by 'I WANT 2 B U' (2020) and '$1 ONE VOTE!' (2023).
Animation contains echoes of THE THE's multifaceted musical past, yet is richly representative of the mercurial band's here and now. Johnson is characterized by not being afraid to address the emotional complexity inherent to the human condition: intimacy in a time of alienation; democracy in a post-truth era; empire and vassalage; and the inexorable rise of AI; however, the album is equally full of hope.
“It is vital to have hope” says Johnson. “And I hope people get out of the album what we put into it. It was created in very happy circumstances, with a great vibe between the band and all the people who worked on it. There was a lot of thought, a lot of work, a lot of love, a lot of laughter!”
THE THE also recently announced another world tour, kicking off in September 2024, the band's first since their successful The Comeback Special World Tour in 2018. Even before Ensoulment's announcement, tickets for Ensouled's world tour had quickly sold out. The initial UK run, which includes a show at London's historic Alexandra Palace, is already sold out and a second London show has been added at the Brixton Academy.
Ensouled world tour locations and ticket links to date have been found (including Europe, Australia and New Zealand) HERE.
September 25 – Usher Hall, Edinburgh – SOLD OUT
September 27 – The Civic at The Halls, Wolverhampton – SOLD OUT
September 28 – Alexandra Palace, London – SOLD OUT
September 30 – The Apollo, Manchester – SOLD OUT
An extra London show has been added due to demand – all 4 previously announced UK dates are now SOLD OUT.
October 1 – Brixton Academy – London
The US and Canadian tour dates were also announced on May 17 as follows.
Pre-sales begin Wednesday, May 22 at 10 a.m. local, with general sale on Friday, May 24 at 10 a.m. local.
October 11 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
October 12 – Durham Performing Arts – Durham, North Carolina
October 14 – The Anthem – Washington, DC
October 15 – The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA
October 17 – Beacon Theater – New York, NY
October 19 – Orpheum Theater – Boston, MA
October 20 – MTELUS – Montreal, QC
October 22 – Massey Hall – Toronto, ON
October 23 – Masonic Cathedral Theater – Detroit, MI
October 25 – The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL
October 26 – Palace Theater – St. Paul, MN
October 29 – Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO
October 30 – Eccles Theater – Salt Lake City, UT
November 2 – Paramount Theater – Seattle, WA
November 3 – Roseland Theater – Portland, Oregon
November 4 – Orpheum Theater – Vancouver, BC
November 7 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA
November 8 – Shrine Auditorium – Los Angeles, CA
THE THE was formed by Matt Johnson in 1979 and the music inhabits a genre all its own: music of long shadows, high hopes, channeled anger, feverish passions and a sweetly haunting intensity. It's pop and rock, blues and folk, soul and controversy. They range from alienated electronica to twisted cinematic soundtracks, from swinging guitar to crimson ballads, rants and prayers to diaries and hymns.
In more than four decades, THE THE has released only five studio albums of original songs. Soul Mining (1983), Infected (1986), Mind bomb (1989), Darkness (1993) and NakedMe (2000). But always unpredictable, during this time THE THE have also veered into cover albums, such as Hanky Panky; film soundtracks including Hyena, Tony, Muscle and Moonbug; art installations; a podcast series, Radio Cinéola; a beautiful and moving 84 minute documentary, Variations of Inertia; and several book publications, including a biography. Long Shadows, High Hopes: The Life and Times of Matt Johnson and THE THE.
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