British indie icons Pulp are set to release their first new album in two decades, titled ‘More’, marking a significant milestone in the band’s illustrious career.
After a two-decade hiatus, British indie icons Pulp have unveiled their first new album in 24 years, titled ‘More‘. This highly anticipated release marks a significant milestone in the band’s illustrious career, filled with memorable moments and iconic songs that defined the Britpop era.
The new single, ‘Spike Island‘, is inspired by the infamous Stone Roses concert at Spike Island, Widnes, in 1990. This event has been described as a milestone for British indie music, while others have deemed it a disappointing shambles with dodgy sound. Pulp guitarist Mark Webber recalled that the show was ‘a slight anticlimax‘, with windy conditions and a vibe that wasn’t quite right.
Spike Island is a small island located in Cork Harbour, Ireland.
Historically, it was used as a quarantine station for immigrants arriving in the country from 1719 to 1922.
During this time, over 200,000 people were processed on the island, with many dying due to disease and poor conditions.
The island also served as a prison camp during World War I and the Irish War of Independence.
Today, Spike Island is open to visitors and offers guided tours of its historic buildings and sites.
The lyrics of ‘Spike Island‘ were written by Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker after speaking to various attendees, including musician Jason Buckle from the band All Seeing I. The phrase ‘Spike Island come alive, Spike Island come alive‘ stuck with Cocker, who has a short attention span. This single is not an isolated incident; Cocker also drew inspiration for his 1995 track ‘Sorted for E’s and Whizz‘, which was based on a fan’s experience of the Stone Roses’ gig.
Jarvis Cocker is a British singer, songwriter, and musician.
He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the Britpop band Pulp.
Born on September 19, 1963, in Sheffield, England, 'His 'n' Hers' and 'Different Class' are just two critically acclaimed albums that showcase Cocker's distinctive baritone voice and witty lyrics have captivated audiences worldwide.
With Pulp, he released several critically acclaimed albums, including 'His 'n' Hers' and 'Different Class'.
After Pulp disbanded, Cocker pursued a successful solo career, releasing albums such as 'Jarvis' and 'Further Complications'.
He is known for his thought-provoking and often humorous songwriting style.
The album ‘More‘ is dedicated to Pulp‘s former bassist Steve Mackey, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 56. Cocker mentioned that recording without Mackey felt ‘weird at first‘, but two songs on the record date back to when Mackey was still part of the band, making him feel included in the project.
The album was recorded over three weeks in 2024, with Cocker stating there were no overarching themes, except for feelings. This approach gave the band a sense of freedom compared to their more conceptual albums like ‘This Is Hardcore‘. The absence of an overarching idea allowed them to focus on creating music without too much stress.
Cocker employed artificial intelligence to create the video for ‘Spike Island‘, but he does not believe AI should be involved in the creative process. He expressed his preference for human intelligence, stating that the experience of working with AI had marked him and left him questioning its role in art.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the music industry by generating new sounds, compositions, and even entire albums.
AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and create unique melodies.
Additionally, AI-powered tools help musicians with tasks such as composition, arrangement, and production.
Research suggests that 'AI-generated music' can be indistinguishable from human-created music, raising questions about authorship and creativity.
As AI technology advances, its role in music-making will only continue to grow.
Pulp will kick off a UK tour immediately after the album’s release in June but have stated they have ‘no plans‘ to play at this year’s Glastonbury festival. The band is scheduled to headline two shows in California‘s Hollywood Bowl on Glastonbury weekend, making it logistically challenging for them to participate.
With the return of ‘More‘, Pulp continues their legacy as one of Britain‘s most beloved and influential bands. As they embark on this new chapter, fans eagerly await the release of their album and the opportunity to experience their unique sound once again.
