Following The Murder Capital’s return at the end of July with their first new material since 2019, “Only Good Things”, they have just shared the news of their much-anticipated second album “Gigi’s Recovery” set for release on January 20th 2023 via Human Season.
Available on CD, standard black LP, a Dinked transparent edition LP, pink LP exclusive to independent record stores and as an exclusive “emerald edition” LP accompanied by a 16-page lyric booklet and housed in a deluxe gatefold casing signed by the band. You can pre-order the album HERE
Paired to a striking video directed by Tommy Davies, the band also share their second single from the record, the emotive and widescreen “A Thousand Lives”. “A thousand lives with you and I won’t be enough” James sings, with a carefulness and weight to it, as though each life is a layer within the song, slowly building up and falling away distinguishable or indistinguishable from one another, depending on how you hear it.
Front man James McGovern had the following to say about the themes behind the new single:
“Knowing that the day is only X-hours long, alongside my understanding of how love can be the true restorative seed, means that if and when you are so lucky to find it (and it is true) the seemingly small glance that is our lifetime could never contain enough of those days or those hours. Even a thousand of those lifetimes would never be enough.”
The John Congleton produced new LP follows the Irish band’s celebrated 2019 debut album, “When I Have Fears”, which reached a Top 20 chart position in the UK, a #2 position in their native Ireland, and featured in media end of year lists internationally with The Guardian calling it “an outstanding debut from a great new band who play it like they mean it.”
While the material on “When I Have Fears” captured the vital beginnings of the group, the 12 songs of “Gigi’s Recovery” push the band into ever braver sonic territories, oceans apart from previous peers. Ambition is put right at the front and center, with the inventive, expansive guitar work of Cathal Roper and Damien Tuit paired to a precise and intelligent rhythmic unit in bassist Gabriel Paschal Blake and drummer Diarmuid Brennan. Electronic elements are noticeably more prominent across the record, with industrial influences explored in greater detail than ever before, McGovern’s bold melodies acting as a reassuring anchor so we never get totally swept away into the band’s new found soundscape.
The Murder Capital also made their live return this year performing at the likes of Primavera Sound, VYV Festival and Solidays, as well as opening for Pearl Jam at British Summer Time. The performances follow their largely sold-out EU / UK tours in 2020, which saw them sell out their biggest headline show to date at London’s Electric Ballroom.
After their emotive London return on Thursday (22nd), playing new material and early favourites to a captive audience at a sold-out Lafayette, they announce the news of a full UK & EU tour in support of the record for 2023.
The band had the following to say about the new album and next year’s tour:
“For us, having worked on Gigi’s Recovery over the past two-plus years, now knowing every detail of every room in this house that we have built together, all we want to do is invite everybody in. We can’t wait to reveal more and more of what we’ve been creating with this record, and eventually in the new year, to reveal the full story.
The greatest thing about making a record is touring a record. The connection we make and the energy created at our live shows is the highest point for us. We can’t wait to meet new faces in the crowds, and to see this record under the new light that each and every one of you will shine on it. No better place to be than in the centre of it all.”
There will be a special 48 hour pre-sale on tickets for all those (UK only) who’ve pre-ordered the album starting on Monday, 26th September at 9am GMT. Tickets will then go on general sale on the Wednesday, 28th September at 9am.
Catch The Murder Capital live; ticket information can be found here.
