We are thrilled to report that one of the great British bands, The Stranglers, enter at #4 on the UK Official Albums Chart with their brand-new album, Dark Matters. Making this their highest UK chart position for a studio album in 38 years, since Feline in 1983.
“I bought their singles when I was in my late teens, and now we’re delivering a top 5 album 45 years later. I’m so proud to be associated with this new record. Class and talent will always shine through. Great work from everybody involved.”
- Henry Semmence, Absolute MD
The record includes the first single, ‘And If You Should See Dave…’, an honest tribute to their much-missed keyboard player Dave Greenfield, who tragically passed away a year ago from Covid-19, and who features on many of the tracks recorded for the album.
“Over a year ago on May 3rd my great friend and colleague of 45 years, Dave Greenfield, passed away, another victim of the pandemic.” says JJ Burnel.
“We had already recorded most of the album with him and during the lockdowns our only wish was to complete it as a fitting tribute to his life and work. I consider this to be one of our finest recordings.”
The Stranglers released the music video for recent single ‘This Song’, featuring the legendary England International football player, manager and long-time Stranglers fan, Stuart Pearce. Talking about the upcoming album Dark Matters, Pearce says: “It’s a fitting tribute to Dave Greenfield who will be missed by everyone. I’m sure I speak for all Stranglers fans by saying we can’t wait to see the boys touring again.”
First formed in 1974, The Stranglers no bull***t attitude was embraced by the punk movement of the late 70s. But their musicianship and menace transcended the genre, creating a sound unique to themselves. With their first three albums (Rattus Norvegicus, No More Heroes and Black and White) being released within an astonishing 13 months of each other, scoring hit singles with ‘Peaches’, ‘No More Heroes’ and ‘Walk On By’. Further success was to follow with ‘Always The Sun’, ‘Strange Little Girl’ and the mercurial ‘Golden Brown’, amongst many others, earning the group 24 Top 40 singles and 18 Top 40 albums in a career spanning six different decades.
Dark Matters is out now on the band’s own Coursegood imprint, via Absolute.
