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It’s been a spectacular journey, from a time when John Grant feared he’d never make music again or escape a life of addiction, to international accolades, collaborations with Sinead O’Connor, Goldfrapp and Elton John, and most recently a Best International Male Solo Artist nomination at the 2014 BRITS alongside the likes of Justin Timberlake and Drake. Grey Tickles, Black Pressure marks the next step in that journey. The album was produced by John Congleton (St. Vincent, Swans) and mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound. Lyrically and musically, the 12 original songs represent Grant’s most ambitious work, cementing his reputation as the most brutally honest, caustic, profound and funny diarist of the human condition.

“Grey Tickles” in the album title draws direct translation from “midlife crisis” in Icelandic, while “Black Pressure” translates to “nightmare” in Turkish, reflecting the darkly introspective subjects on the album.

The album opens in an unsettling swirl of overlapping voices repeating 1st Corinthians 13:4 in multiple languages before dissolving into fuzz, and closes with the same passage read clearly, this time by a young girl. In between, Grant’s depth and range are vividly present as he further refines and entwines his two principal strands of musical DNA, the sumptuous tempered ballad and the taut, fizzing electronic pop song. Tracey Thorn, Amanda Palmer and former Banshees drummer Budgie appear as guests on the album.

TRACKLIST

1. Intro
2. Grey Tickles, Black Pressure
3. Snug Slacks
4. Guess How I Know
5. You and Him
6. Down Here
7. Voodoo Doll
8. Global Warming
9. Magma Arrives
10. Black Blizzard
11. Disappointing
12. No More Tangles
13. Geraldine
14. Outro

2xLP orange and lavender colored vinyl features 16-page lyric + photo booklet and comes with a CD version of the album.

Release date: October 9, 2015.