The Courteeners have unveiled their seventh studio album, ‘Pink Cactus Café’, heralding it as a bold new direction for the Manchester rock band. The announcement was accompanied by the release of the lead single, ‘Solitude Of The Night Bus’, which delves into “the soul’s quest for clarity amidst loneliness.”
This tongue-in-cheek track was conceived during a period when the band was grappling with impostor syndrome. Frontman Liam Fray, 39, shared in a statement: “This came at a time of real questioning. Things weren’t going particularly well. No confidence. No direction. I think that’s why – whisper it – it’s on the fun side. This is the new us. I’d previously worked with Ola [Modupe-Ojo] on ‘Hanging Off Your Cloud’ and, like then, there was just a magic in the room that was irresistible. It’s a summer breeze. But it’s a winter’s night. Either way, sometimes you have to block out the noise. My late Uncle Pat loved a whistle so it’s a bit of a homage to him. Get on the bus; headphones in; go your own way. It’s the feel good, imposter syndrome hit of the summer.”
The full album is set for release on October 25. ‘Pink Cactus Café’ includes collaborations with Australian rockers DMA’s on ‘The Beginning Of The End’, Scottish singer-songwriter Brooke Combe on ‘Sweet Surrender’, and indie artist Pixey on ‘First Name Terms’.
This album marks the band’s first new music since their 2020 LP ‘More. Again. Forever.’ In 2023, the reissue of their debut album ‘St. Jude’ topped the UK Album Charts.
Fans can catch Courteeners live at several upcoming festivals:
TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow on July 13
Boardmasters in Newquay on August 9
Victorious Festival in Southsea on August 24
‘Pink Cactus Café’ Track Listing:
Sweet Surrender (featuring Brooke Combe)
Weekend Shy Of A Feeling
Pink Cactus Cafe
Where Are We Now?
The Beginning Of The End (featuring DMA’s)
Solitude of the Night Bus
First Name Terms (featuring Pixey)
Lu Lu
Love You Any Less
Bitten By Unseen Teeth
