Album 15

[MSPKYE]

The Nicky led tracks have been amongst my favourite of the last 2 records (The Left Behind & My Drowning World). An 80’s influenced album sounds right up my alley.

Crucially James mentions “the next record” so my fear of imminent endings were thankfully unfounded.

[Bartek Wyre]

Originally Posted by Glyn

The album is still being described as a 'grab bag' with no central theme

Oh, so it's like their entire discography, but in condensed form! How meta!

[Routine Builder]

I also quite like the manic-Nicky tracks mostly. The Left Behind is quite good even if it is just Nicky stealing Jarvis Cocker's solo schit for a bit. But three tracks does seem like a sign that James has finally got to to the end of his rolodex of singers he can pawn off half his vocal duties to.

[Europa Gluten Free]

Sounds to me like RiF Part 2.

[Son of Stopped]

All these months and they still haven't got a title for it!
But yes, sounds like the sort of thing I can get behind.
And the clocks spin on until it's release. Very heartened to hear they are planning another album.
Or it could be a double bluff?
Thanks for the update!

[TheUglyLie]

Originally Posted by Europa Gluten Free

Sounds to me like RiF Part 2.

I thought the same too. Especially as, with that album as well, the band mentioned it didn’t have a cohesive theme, & that they were just trying to get the best from every song.

[LA ex]

Three Nicky lead vocals? Hmmm.... Put me in the camp of people not excited by that.

Will he sing any of them live? Has he ever sung anything apart from William's Last Words live with the Manics before?

[Europa Gluten Free]

Did he do a cover? Or a PFAYM song? Maybe I just don’t wanna remember.

[Lee]

Yeah he’s done both - No Feelings (Pistols) and The Future Has Been Here.

Wattsville Blues too.

Surprised The Anchoress hasn’t joined them for another song or two.

[Tish]

Originally Posted by LA ex

Three Nicky lead vocals? Hmmm.... Put me in the camp of people not excited by that.

Will he sing any of them live? Has he ever sung anything apart from William's Last Words live with the Manics before?

He did Divine Youth a couple of times on the Holy Bible 20 tour. And a cover of No Feelings by the Sex Pistols more recently. And of course his startling performance of Wattsville Blues in Cuba. I hope he does sing these new ones live, change things up a bit.

[LA ex]

Thanks all - just realised I witnessed one of those performances of Divine Youth!

[Son of Stopped]

Being
Baptised
Where'd ya get that
Bat perspirant

And this is why we don't get the full tracklist FD.

[everlasting]

Sounds like they're no guest vocalists then for this album. I've got used to them appearing on each album now haha. Weird why they finished it in Feb and it won't be out until maybe 12 months later...

[Son of Stopped]

Originally Posted by everlasting

Sounds like they're no guest vocalists then for this album. I've got used to them appearing on each album now haha. Weird why they finished it in Feb and it won't be out until maybe 12 months later...

We had Lifeblood thingy this year. I see 2025 as an anniversary year if 1985 Manics formed.
Also, if releasing it early in the year it will also absorb some of the dreaded Richey anniversary programmes/media interest.
Imo! Personally that's how I'm seeing it myself personally. That's my best guest why they waited.
Also RiF with better songs can only be great. Decline & Fall does seem to fit on that.
Lesser albums if this was their 20th album since 1992.
I'm glad this curation for want of a better word of the album thought out. Even if it appears to be just random songs.

EDIT: And if you think I'm being nasty with the Richey anniversary. It's a depressing thing. Think how every year they must get contacted with any further comment on Richey's misfortunate story?
A new album would be perfect to control as much of the Manics narrative.
I'm also expecting more media interviews. Given that I know nothing and this post is just my opinion.

[rosetree]

Sounds like they're going to be more shining. I'm glad there will be Nicky vocals on the album. James has said...

"Sometimes just to have your best songs is enough, just putting a record out and not trying to describe a big overarching concept even though there is a thread there. We wanted to sing, play, be free and for what Nick was writing lyrically, to have a place to shine."