With their recent singles ‘Scared of Nothing’ and ‘Empire Service’, Razorlight have proven that they still have the flair for instantly addictive songwriting that made them one of the UK’s biggest bands in the early 2000s. Those tracks earned tastemaker support from Radio X, Spotify, NME and Absolute Radio, and now Razorlight further ignite anticipation for the October 25th release of the ‘Planet Nowhere’ album by sharing the new single ‘Zombie Love’.
‘Zombie Love’ will quickly claim its place alongside Razorlight’scatalogue of hits. Spiky punk-tinged indie, fleet-footed rhythms, and vintage synth textures all coalesce in a sea of melody, while Johnny Borrell’s consistently charismatic lyrics focus on a story of stop-start love. And we all know how beguiling a romance can be when it promises so much, but never quite reaches its potential. As with the rest of the ‘Planet Nowhere’ album, ‘Zombie Love’ was recorded at Space Mountain studio in Spain with the Grammy-winning producer Youth.
Johnny says, “’Zombie Love’ was the first thing that Andy and I wrote when we got back together. I was trying to land it somewhere between Outkast, Beck’s ‘Midnite Vultures’ and The Pixies. If I didn’t manage that then sue me. I spent a while listening to songs from the ‘00s and I’m absolutely honoured and completely humbled to have been mentioned in the same breath as so many great bands over the years. So if you’re reading this and had anything to do with giving this band any praise at any point, let me just say thanks. I probably would have been a better artist if I’d been able to relax just for a second back then. What can I say, I’m all or nothing, I was like a lightning bolt striking the same place over and over again. The definition of madness, but maybe it brought something.
I really didn’t expect there to ever be another Razorlight album, I did it because it’s good, I wouldn’t make music for any other reason. I think it could be a lot of people’s favourite Razorlight album too. But right now, 1% of our fans know it exists. Let’s try and get that to 5%? Oh and fuck you, we still don’t need you to tell us we’re good.”
Razorlight’s three recent singles all live up to everything Razorlight achieved in their original era: a #1 album, two further Top 5 records, and 13 Platinum certifications in the UK alone. Their classic line-up – completed by Björn Ågren (guitar), Carl Dalemo (bass) and Andy Burrows (drums) – is making up for lost time with a bold new era.
‘Planet Nowhere’ is available to pre-order HERE. Formats include white vinyl, limited edition dolphin-coloured vinyl with alternate artwork, CD and a purple cassette. All album bundles add a signed 12” art print.
As Razorlight’s latest era takes off, it’s only natural for the band to reflect on some of their memories from the first time around. Their socials have been full of flashback moments in recent weeks, from intimate record store sets to jamming after hours with The Libertines and earning an enthusiastic round of applause from Tom Cruise after performing on Michael Parkinson’s chat show.
Having recently completed their summer festival season by earning a rapturous reception in front of a huge crowd at Victorious, it’s only a matter of weeks before Razorlight are back on the road for their sold-out underplay tour. November then steps up in scale as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album ‘Up All Night’ with a special show at the O2 Academy Brixton which is also now sold-out. They have also just confirmed that they will celebrate the release of ‘Planet Nowhere’ with a record store tour. It opens with a short live set and signing at Rough Trade East, while all other locations will be stripped-back performances and signing sessions.
Their tour schedule is:
OCTOBER – RECORD STORE TOUR
25th – London, Rough Trade East (7pm)
26th – Leamington Spa, Head Records (1pm)
26th – Birmingham, hmv Vault (5pm)
27th – Bristol, Rough Trade (7pm)
29th – Bury, Wax and Beans (1pm)
29th – Manchester, hmv (5pm)
30th – Liverpool, Jacaranda (7pm)
31st – Newcastle, Beyond Vinyl (7pm)
OCTOBER – UNDERPLAY TOUR
18th – Birmingham, Castle & Falcon (SOLD OUT)
19th – Edinburgh, Mash House (SOLD OUT)
20th – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club (SOLD OUT)
21st – Manchester, Band on the Wall (SOLD OUT)
22nd – Brighton, Komedia (SOLD OUT)
24th – Bristol, Strange Brew (SOLD OUT)
NOVEMBER
21st – London, O2 Academy Brixton (SOLD OUT – with special guests Mystery Jets)