Cate Le Bon Announces New Album 'Pompeii' And Accompanying Tour, Shares Lead Single Running Away
Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: H Hawkline
Cate Le Bon has shared details of her sixth studio album.
The follow-up to 2019's 'Reward' is called 'Pompeii' and will arrive on February 4 via Mexican Summer. It was written mainly alone, on bass, and recorded almost entirely by the Welsh artist with long-term co-producer Samur Khouja in what Le Bon calls an "uninterrupted vacuum" in Cardiff, Wales. She commented:
"'Pompeii' was written and recorded in a quagmire of unease. Solo. In a time warp. In a house I had a life in 15 years ago. I grappled with existence, resignation and faith. I felt culpable for the mess but it smacked hard of the collective guilt imposed by religion and original sin.
"The subtitle is: You will be forever connected to everything. Which, depending on the time of day, is as comforting as it is terrifying. The sense of finality has always been here. It seems strangely hopeful. Someone is playing with the focus lens. The world is on fire, but the bins must go out on a Tuesday night. Political dissonance meets beauty regimes. I put a groove behind it for something to hold on to. The grief is in the saxophones."
Playing nearly every instrument featured on 'Pompeii', except drums and saxophones, Le Bon has also unveiled the record's lead single, Running Away, which arrives with a video directed by long-time collaborator Casey Raymond and shot in The Factory in Porth, Wales.
Cast across a disorienting art-pop aesthetic, the song meanders through eerie synth-laded moments, with passages of dark, slinky new wave in the mix. It also features saxophonist Euan Hinshelwood. Press play below next to the LP's artwork and tracklist.
Le Bon will support the release with newly announced tour dates in North America, the UK and Europe in February, March and April. Tickets go on general sale at 10am BST on October 15.
'Pompeii' tracklist:
1. Dirt on the Bed
2. Moderation
3. French Boys
4. Pompeii
5. Harbour
6. Running Away
7. Cry Me Old Trouble
8. Remembering Me
9. Wheel
Cate Le Bon Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Mon March 14 2022 - SOUTHAMPTON Engine Rooms
Tue March 15 2022 - LONDON Hackney Empire
Wed March 16 2022 - MANCHESTER Albert Hall
Thu March 17 2022 - GLASGOW SWG3
Fri March 18 2022 - BELFAST Empire Music Hall
Sat March 19 2022 - DUBLIN National Concert Hall
Mon March 21 2022 - LIVERPOOL Arts Club
Tue March 22 2022 - LEEDS Irish Centre
Wed March 23 2022 - BIRMINGHAM Mill
Mon March 28 2022 - LILLE Aeronef (France)
Tue March 29 2022 - PARIS La Maroquinerie (France)
Thu March 31 2022 - LYON Epicerie Moderne (France)
Fri April 01 2022 - ZURICH Bogen F (Switzerland)
Sat April 02 2022 - SCHORNDORF Manufaktur (Germany)
Sun April 03 2022 - LEIPZIG UT Connewitz (Germany)
Tue April 05 2022 - BERLIN Franzz Club (Germany)
Wed April 06 2022 - HAMBURG Nochtspeicher (Germany)
Thu April 07 2022 - STOCKHOLM Slaktkyrkan (Sweden)
Fri April 08 2022 - OSLO Parkteatret (Norway)
Sat April 09 2022 - COPENHAGEN Vega (Denmark)
Mon April 11 2022 - BRUSSELS AB Box (Belgium)
Tue April 12 2022 - AMSTERDAM Paradiso (Netherlands)
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