The The are back with the announcement of their first new album in nearly a quarter-century, Ensoulment, along with a supporting North American tour (get tickets here).
Due out on September 6th, Ensoulment marks The The’s first new full-length release since 2000’s NakedSelf. Spanning 12 new songs, the album was spearheaded by frontman Matt Johnson, along with longtime The The members James Eller (bass), DC Collard (keyboards), Earl Harvin (drums), and Barrie Cadogan (lead guitar). Thematically, it tackles many pivotal topics of the modern age, from democracy to technology, intimacy, and more.
Speaking about Ensoulment, Johnson said, “It’s vital to be hopeful, and I hope people get out of the album what we put into it. It was created under very happy circumstances, with a great vibe amongst the band and all the people that worked on it. There was a lot of thought, a lot of work, a lot of love, a lot of laughter!”
Upon arrival on September 6th, Ensoulment will be available digitally and on CD and vinyl formats, with physical editions including a 32-page booklet of previously unreleased artwork from Johnson’s late brother, Andrew “Andy Dog” Johnson (who also created the album artwork). Pre-orders are ongoing.
Today, The The also shared Ensoulment’s lead single: “Cognitive Dissonance,” a bluesy anthem for a “post-truth” age, co-written by Johnson and Cadogan with lyrics like “Truth stands on the gallows/ lies sit on the throne/ Something in the shadows/ Communicates by gold.” Stream the single below.
As for The The’s 2024 tour dates, the band will hit the road for a European leg in late August. In October, they’ll come stateside for shows in cities like Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and more. Then, in November, they’ll head down under for shows in New Zealand and Australia.
Ensoulment Artwork:
Ensoulment Tracklist:
01. Cognitive Dissident
02. Some Days I Drink My Coffee By the Grave of William Blake
03. Zen & the Art of Dating
04. Kissing the Ring of POTUS
05. Life After Life
06. I Want to Wake Up with You
07. Down By the Frozen River
08. Risin’ Above the Need
09. Linoleum Smooth to the Stockinged Foot
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
The The 2024 Tour Dates:
08/21 – Cambridge, UK @ Cambridge Junction
08/22 – Norwich, UK @ The Waterfront Norwich
08/23 – Holmfirth, UK @ Picturedrome
08/25 – Dublin, IE @ National Museum Of Ireland
09/10 – Oslo, NO @ Sentrum Scene
09/11 – Oslo, NO @ Sentrum Scene
09/13 – Stockholm, SE @ Filadelfia
09/14 – Copenhagen, DK @ Store Vega
09/15 – Copenhagen, DK @ Store Vega
09/17 – Berlin, DE @ Huxleys
09/18 – Köln, DE @ Carlswerk Victoria
09/19 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique
09/21 – Antwerp, BE @ De Roma
09/22 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
09/23 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
09/25 – Edinburgh, UK @ Usher Hall
09/27 – Wolverhampton, UK @ The Civic At The Halls
09/28 – London, UK @ Alexandra Palace
09/30 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo
10/01 – London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
10/11 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
10/12 – Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts
10/14 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
10/15 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
10/17 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
10/19 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
10/20 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
10/22 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
10/23 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre
10/25 – Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
10/26 – St. Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre
10/29 – Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
10/30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Eccles Theater
11/02 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
11/03 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
11/04 – Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum
11/07 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
11/08 – Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Auditorium
11/14 – Auckland, NZ @ Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
11/16 – Melbourne, AU @ Palais Theatre
11/17 – Melbourne, AU @ Palais Theatre
11/18 – Adelaide, AU @ Hindley Street Music Hall
11/21 – Sydney, AU @ Sydney Opera House
11/22 – Sydney, AU @ Sydney Opera House
11/23 – Brisbane, AU @ Fortitude Music Hall
11/24 – Brisbane, AU @ Fortitude Music Hall
11/27 – Perth, AU @ Fremantle Arts Centre
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