Dexys Midnight Runners are apparently working on their first album in 26 years.
Dexys Midnight Runners have always trod their own path. The band began life as a soulful collective, with eccentric leader Kevin Rowland leading the outfit to pop success. Later splintering, the singer had the last laugh on the mutineers via the global success of ‘Come On Eileen’.
Deciding to abandon a pop path, Dexys Midnight Runners released their final album ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’ in 1985. Famously difficult, the record mixes furious political rhetoric with a passionate view of love.
Since then, Kevin Rowland has worked on a frequently bizarre (see 1998’s ‘My Beauty’) solo career. Dexys Midnight Runners reformed in 2003 for a tour and greatest hits package, but little has been heard since then.
Launching an official Twitter account, the band have now confirmed that work is under way on a new album. The account was launched o June 24th with the message: “Can’t really say why, because it’s hard to put it down to any one thing. It’s early days, but so far so good.”
Posting a few pictures of the sessions in process, the current line up of Dexys Midnight Runners mixes generations. Kevin Rowland leads the group, with original bass player Pete Williams by his side.
Former Style Council keyboard player Mick Talbot is taking part in sessions, having briefly been part of the freewheeling collective in the early 80s. Guitarist Neil Hubbard is joined by an artist captioned in one of the pictures as ‘Maddy’.
The release date for new material has been set for some time in 2012, and would represent the first new Dexys album in 26 years. Since 2003, the band have only made public one track – ‘Its OK Johanna’ – via their MySpace account.
Meanwhile, Kevin Rowland has confirmed one public appearance. The singer is set to take part in the London indie pop night How Does It Feel To Be Loved? on July 16th.