Indie rock stalwarts Ash have today thrilled fans with the announcement of their ninth studio album, 'Ad Astra', set for release on October 3rd via Fierce Panda. The news comes alongside the unveiling of the lead single, 'Give Me Back My World', and details of extensive UK and Ireland tour dates that are on sale now.
'Ad Astra' follows just two years and one month after their highly successful 'Race The Night' – their highest-charting album in two decades. This quick turnaround is a deliberate move by the band, who vowed to prevent another five-year gap between albums like the one experienced between 2018's 'Islands' and 'Race The Night'. The new album promises eleven brand new tracks, including a "raucous take" on the 'Beetlejuice' staple, 'Jump In The Line', and features Graham Coxon on two "particularly sassy songs," showcasing Ash in "rocket-fuelled form."
Lead singer and guitarist Tim Wheeler commented on the new single, 'Give Me Back My World': "If I told you this song dates back to 2020 you'd hardly need a degree from the school of Marple, Holmes and Poirot to figure out what it's getting at. And although those sentiments may be just a memory from the standpoint of 2025, the song's heart still feels relevant. In a time of chaos, disruption and angst there's still a beautiful world out there and it's worth fighting for." He continued, describing the track as a "total banger" that rails against a loss of control.
'Ad Astra' is described as a cohesive work, focusing on themes of distant galaxies and endless horizons. It will feature classic Ash power-pop-rockers like 'Hallion' and 'Dehumansied', alongside more nuanced tracks such as the acoustic elegance of 'My Favourite Ghost'. Adding to the excitement, Rick McMurray notes that the album title, 'Ad Astra', points to ideas from 1995 but with the added wisdom of three decades of life experience.
Fans can pre-order 'Ad Astra' now and stream 'Give Me Back My World' across all platforms.
