Blancmange share new single Reduced Voltage ahead of new album Private View and subsequent Aberdeen tour date
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Blancmange have shared their new single Reduced Voltage, alongside a John Grant remix of the track, ahead of the release of their album Private View later this month.
The new album, out September 30, will be followed by an extensive UK tour that runs from October until mid-December with various special guests.
Blancmange will perform three dates in Scotland accompanied by special guest Stephen Mallinder - December 1 in Aberdeen, December 2 in Edinburgh and December 3 in Glasgow.
Reduced Voltage's cosmic feel and motorik drive features David Rhodes’ guitar unfurling in waves of immersive tones alongside subtle electronics.
Explaining Neil Arthur said: “I wanted a track driven by a singular minimal beat occasionally shot through with lyrical phrases.
"They’re thoughts, hints of an internal dialogue.
"Feel the groove, feel the pain.
"Me and Benge stripped away some of the original layers detail to make the track groove, increasing the impact by reducing the content.”
The new single is accompanied by a remix from long-time co-conspirator John Grant, who said: “I have loved Blancmange for close to four decades, so it’s such an honour to be asked to remix a track off the new record.
"It was a blast and it’s my first.
"Hope you enjoy.”
Across the album, there’s a deft marriage of futuristic electronic sounds, Arthur’s unmistakable vocal hooks, and songs that veer from buoyant and joyful to dark and brooding.
Returning as a key collaborator is Benge, and David Rhodes (of Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel and Scott Walker fame) returns as the guitarist, having previously performed with the band on 1982’s debut Happy Families as well as several other Blancmange albums.
In their post-punk early days Blancmange made tape loops and experimental sounds with kitchen utensils before developing into one of the definitive chart-topping British electronic pop acts.
Since reforming in 2011 (Luscombe had to leave shortly after for health reasons) Neil has harnessed a duality of experimentation and seamless pop melody to release a staggering 10 albums in the last decade.
Commenting he said: “I don't know whether I'm on a roll but I feel something in me has been released.
“I used to hold back and I didn't trust myself.
"While I'm still full of self-doubt I'm now quite comfortable with it.
"This is it.
"We’ve only got one time around the block, so make the most of it.”
The past is used as a trigger to create new ideas and build fresh momentum, not as somewhere to linger.
Continuing Neil said: “A lot of people are frightened of the future and are quite happy to have a repeat of something that was done before.
“But it's just not for me.
"Looking forward you've got a hell of a world to try and navigate through at the moment.
"We're all moving forward - so we've got to try and find some answers.”
Private View is a record that manages to capture an artist who is potently in the moment when it comes to creating new work, while also being able to draw on 40 years’ worth of knowledge, experience and built-in intuition.
Commenting on the album Neil said: “I'm really lucky to be able to make the music completely on my own terms.
“Within myself there are no limits, there’s a massive palette inside and I will try anything.”
Listen to the new single here:
