Scottish alternative rock legends Idlewild have released their highly anticipated new self-titled album, Idlewild, out today on V2 Records. The album—the band’s tenth studio record—is a critically acclaimed distillation of their diverse 30-year career, hailed by CLASH as "one of the most impactful records of their career" and praised by Mojo as "a record worthy of their name."
Written and produced by the band and Rod Jones, the album was created in environments ranging from Post Electric Studios in Edinburgh to the Isle of Iona Library in the Hebrides. It serves as a confident, creative look back at their sonic history, welcoming the sounds of their early punk roots, their mainstream rock era (The Remote Part), and their later folk and art-pop explorations.
Frontman Roddy Woomble explained the decision to self-title the record: "For the first time we were referencing ourselves... realising that we had a ‘sound’ and the songs we were writing should celebrate that." The goal was to seek out “big ideas, deep uncertainties, memorable tunes.”
The album’s strength was previewed by three warmly received singles: "Stay Out Of Place," "It's Not The First Time," and the anthemic "Like I Had Before," all of which earned a spot on the BBC 6 Music playlist.
To celebrate the release, Idlewild is immediately hitting the road for a series of instore and outstore shows, starting today at Circuit in Kingston. These intimate gigs kick off a larger UK tour this month, featuring dates in London, Glasgow, Manchester, and Bristol. With several dates already sold out, the tour reinforces the renewed energy and critical appreciation surrounding one of the UK’s most enduring bands.
