In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Paul Draper to talk about Mansun Retold — a project shaped by distance, perspective, and the strange experience of meeting your younger self through song. Watch the full video conversation.
Releasing on 20 February, Mansun Retold sees Draper revisit and reimagine key songs from the Mansun catalogue, rebuilding them from the ground up as full-band, acoustic unplugged recordings. Rather than revisiting the past for nostalgia’s sake, the album is about clarity — hearing familiar songs anew, stripped of urgency, ego, and expectation.
Recorded at The Loft Studios in Surrey, the album was co-produced by Paul Draper alongside Paul “PDub” Walton (The Cure, U2, Björk, Massive Attack, Oasis). The sessions feature a string quartet arranged and led by Audrey Riley (Muse, Coldplay, Nick Cave), with drums performed by Julian Fenton — Mansun’s original early-era drummer. Draper performs acoustic bass, acoustic lead and rhythm guitar, and piano throughout the record.
In this conversation, Draper reflects on the emotional weight of returning to songs so closely tied to his own life, how he decided which tracks felt ready to be retold, and the responsibility he feels toward fans who have lived with this music for decades. He also talks about life beyond music, creative fulfilment, and how Mansun Retold is intended to be experienced — not as a retrospective, but as a living record, rooted firmly in the present.
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Paul Draper – Mansun Retold
I’ve Seen The Top Of The Mountain Retold – 04:53
Disgusting Retold – 04:22
I Can Only Disappoint U Retold – 04:15
Until The Next Life Retold – 04:35
Naked Twister Retold – 03:51
The Chad Who Loved Me Retold – 03:45
Wide Open Space Retold – 04:15
Dark Mavis Retold – 06:54
Comes As No Surprise Retold – 03:54
Mansun’s Only Love Song Retold – 05:31
When The Wind Blows Retold – 04:16
Alongside the standard album release, there will also be a variety of different formats, some of which including the additional 6-track ‘Stripped Back’ disc and Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and hi-res mixes:
DISC 2 – Stripped Back (select formats only):
Until The Next Life (Stripped Back) – 04:35
When The Wind Blows (Stripped Back) – 04:12
Naked Twister (Stripped Back) – 03:51
I’ve Seen The Top Of The Mountain (Stripped Back) – 04:53
Mansun’s Only Love Song (Stripped Back) – 04:42
Dark Mavis (Stripped Back) – 06:55
Alongside news of his new album, Paul Draper has also just announced the ‘Mansun – The Hits’ Tour for March 2026. The shows will see Draper performing all 14 of Mansun’s Top 40 singles including ‘Wide Open Space’, ‘I Can Only Disappoint You’, ‘Taxloss’ and others with his full electric band.
Paul Draper ‘Mansun – The Hits’ March 2026 Tour
Wed 18 March — Manchester, O2 Ritz
• Thu 19 March — Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
• Fri 20 March — Glasgow, King Tut’s
• Sat 21 March — Birmingham, O2 Academy 2
• Wed 25 March — Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
• Thu 26 March — Bristol, Thekla
• Fri 27 March — London, Electric Brixton
• Sat 28 March — Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
In the late ‘90s, Mansun carved out their own corner of British music with albums like Attack of the Grey Lantern (a UK No.1), Six, and Little Kix – works that built a loyal following with Draper at the heart of the chaos. Nearly three decades later, he’s revisiting that world and meeting his younger self across the years.
In Spring 2026 Paul Draper will tour the UK, playing all Mansun’s Top 40 singles including 5 Top Ten’s with his full electric band at a series of prestigious venues.
Paul Draper’s new album Mansun Retold will be released on 20th February on Kscope. Pre-order here.
About The XS Noize Podcast
With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music’s legends, innovators, and trailblazers — a place where real conversations meet real stories.
Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured an extraordinary lineup including Sleaford Mods, The Charlatans, Gary “Mani” Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, and Michael Head — among many more.
Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here.
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