Following the universal acclaim for the award-winning musical based on his songs, ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge’, which opened earlier this month for a six-month run in London’s West End, today BMG release RICHARD HAWLEY’s new single: “Two For His Heels”.
“Two For His Heels” is a sparse, atmospheric and cinematic song about a deal that goes wrong, its low blues rumble reminiscent of Link Wray and Duane Eddy. It is the opening track on Hawley’s forthcoming album, ‘In This City They Call You Love‘, which will be released on 31 May.
‘In This City They Call You Love’ features 12 outstanding songs, many of which can be described as “vintage Hawley” and are amongst some of the finest ballads he’s ever written and recorded. Gorgeous melodies and arrangements are accompanied by Hawley’s emotive and sonorous voice, which sounds better than ever, on an album that further confirms his place as one of the finest songwriters of his generation, in a hugely successful recording career approaching 25 years.
The album’s title is taken from the song “People”, which might well be the greatest song Hawley has written about his beloved Sheffield, the city’s proud industrial past and the enduring determination of its citizens.
Speaking about the new material, Richard Hawley says:
“I’ve made three albums where I had the title before I’d even begun to record, where I had an agenda. One was Truelove’s Gutter. Another was Standing At The Sky’s Edge when I wanted to turn everything up and make the music a lot more aggressive, and then this one. I wanted it to be multi-coloured in a way… focusing on the voice and what voices can do together… I deliberately only played a handful of guitar solos to keep it focused on voices, the song and space…”
‘In This City They Call You Love‘ will be released on 31 May. It will be available on digipack CD, standard black vinyl, limited edition transparent blue vinyl exclusive to HMV and indie stores, and transparent yellow vinyl exclusively available from the official store. Pre-Order here: https://RichardHawley.lnk.to/InThisCityPR
‘In This City They Call You Love’ Tracklisting:
1. Two For His Heels
2. Have Love
3. Prism In Jeans
4. Heavy Rain
5. People
6. Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow
7. Deep Space
8. Deep Waters
9. I’ll Never Get Over You
10. Do I Really Need To Know?
11. When The Lights Go Out
12. ‘Tis Night
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In the two decades that have elapsed since Richard Hawley abandoned band life full-time, first with The Longpigs and then as Pulp’s guitarist – the 57-year-old songwriter has forged one of the most singular and diverse careers in modern music.
As well as releasing a string of solo albums that have managed the rare feat of being both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, Hawley has worked with a host of impressive collaborators – friends such as Arctic Monkeys, Manic Street Preachers, Elbow and Paul Weller, alongside personal heroes that include U.S. guitarist Duane Eddy (his 2011 album, ‘Road Trip’, was co-produced by Richard), Shirley Bassey (for whom he wrote the smouldering ballad, “After The Rain”, in 2009), Nancy Sinatra, the late Lisa Marie Presley and British folk royalty Martin Carthy and the late Norma Waterson (he was an integral part of 2013’s ‘Bright Phoebus Revisited’ tour). There are also bona fide pop stars such as Robbie Williams, All Saints and Texas, all of whom Hawley has played with in differing capacities down the years. His song “Tonight The Streets Are Ours” was featured in The Simpsons and Exit Through The Gift Shop: A Banksy Film.
In recent times his songs have appeared in television dramas Peaky Blinders, The Full Monty and Hijack, as well as the hugely acclaimed and award-winning musical named after his 2012 album, ’Standing At The Sky’s Edge’. “Dear Alien (Who Art in Heaven)”, co-written with Jarvis Cocker and Wes Anderson for Anderson’s film, Asteroid City, was recently shortlisted for ‘Best Original Song’ at this year’s Oscars®.
The successful award-winning ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge‘ musical features 20 Richard Hawley songs and won Best New Musical and handedHawley Best Original Score at the 2023 Olivier Awards. Following its sell-out runs at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre and London’s National Theatre, earlier this month it began a six-month run at London’s West End Gillian Lynne Theatre.
Also in 2023, Richard played five acclaimed shows with John Grant, performing the songs of Patsy Cline.
And in October 2023 his Very Best of… ‘Now Then’ became his 4th top 10 album and received outstanding reviews across all media.
This Summer, Richard Hawley will embark on a UK tour – taking in these dates as follows:
RICHARD HAWLEY – UK TOUR DATES
JUNE 2024
02 – GLASGOW, Barrowland Ballroom
05 – LEICESTER, De Montfort Hall
11 – WOLVERHAMPTON, The Wulfrun At The Halls
13 – GATESHEAD, The Glasshouse
16 – NORWICH, Nick Rayns LCR, UEA
20 – SCARBOROUGH, The Spa
AUGUST 2024
15-18 – DEVON, BEAUTIFUL DAYS FESTIVAL
29 – SHEFFIELD, Don Valley Bowl(w/ The Coral, The Divine Comedy)
Tickets for all shows are on sale now here:
RICHARD HAWLEY – NEW ALBUM: ‘IN THIS CITY THEY CALL YOU LOVE’
– OUT 31 MAY, VIA BMG
LISTEN TO NEW SINGLE: “TWO FOR HIS HEELS” NOW HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
w/ https://richardhawley.co.uk/
Or please contact:
rob@sonicpr.co.uk
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FURTHER PRAISE FOR RICHARD HAWLEY
“Immaculately crafted records combining his rich and timeless vocals with artfully sincere studies of his hometown. Hawley remains a beautiful singer and astute observer.” – Uncut magazine
“The sumptuous, cinematic quality of his music is ultimately what he’ll be remembered for.” – Shindig!
“One listen to this extensive catalogue of songs is enough to confirm what a magnificent representation it is of Richard’s immense talents as one of the UK’s greatest songwriters and performers.” – Louder Than War
“This is a perfectly encapsulated overview of one of our real national treasures.” – Vive Le Rock