The Mercury Prize-winning, chart-topping alt-J release new track THE ACTOR

The Mercury Prize-winning, chart-topping alt-J release new track THE ACTOR
Credit George Muncey

The Mercury Prize-winning, chart-topping alt-J have released their new track THE ACTOR, the final song to be released in advance of their forthcoming album THE DREAM, set for release on 11 February via Infectious Music / BMG.

THE ACTOR is an anthemic and cautionary tale: the story of a bit-part actor in Hollywood, making a living in any way he can. It’s a track that highlights Joe Newman’s growing lyrical prowess throughout THE DREAM and the band’s expansive sonic ambitions on their fourth album. It’s a richly inviting narrative anchored by the band’s signature sound. Describing the inspiration behind THE ACTOR, the band say: “Hollywood, 1982. Another hopeful young movie star arrives in search of The Dream. What follows is a tale of desperation, drugs and death in LA’s most famous hotel.”

Listen to THE ACTOR – BELOW:

THE ACTOR follows Hard Drive Gold, which is riding high on the A list at BBC 6 Music and stirring album centrepiece Get Better. THE DREAM was announced in 2021 alongside the release of U&ME, an inspired snapshot of the band’s experiences at summer festivals in Australia.

The band have also announced a run of intimate shows in association with Independent Record Stores throughout May and added a third date at London O2 Brixton Academy which is part of a vast world tour set to take place following the release of THE DREAM. Tickets: https://www.altjband.com/#tour

MAY

Thu 05 EDINBURGH Liquid Rooms (with ASSAI RECORDS)
Fri 06 GLASGOW Barrowland
Sat 07 GLASGOW Barrowland
Mon 09 LEEDS O2 Academy
Fri 13 MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Sat 14 LIVERPOOL Jacaranda Records (with JACARANDA RECORDS)
Mon 16 OXFORD O2 Academy (with TRUCK RECORDS)
Wed 18 LONDON O2 Brixton Academy
Thu 19 LONDON O2 Brixton Academy
Fri 20 LONDON O2 Brixton Academy
Sun 22 DUBLIN Olympia Theatre
Mon 23 DUBLIN Olympia Theatre
Wed 25 BELFAST Telegraph Building
Fri 27 BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy
Sat 28 BRIGHTON Chalk (with RESIDENT RECORDS)

JUNE

Thu 07 KINGSTON Pryzm (with BANQUET RECORDS)

alt-J are one of the most successful British bands of the millennium. Joe Newman, Gus Unger-Hamilton, and Thom Green have released three studio albums that, between them, have sold more than two million copies and their songs have been streamed over two and a half billion times. Their 2012 Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello Award-winning debut AN AWESOME WAVE was followed two years later by their number one, GRAMMY and BRIT Award-nominated album THIS IS ALL YOURS. In 2017, RELAXER reached the UK album chart Top 10, ahead of a summer of major international shows that included a show at London’s O2 Arena and headline performances at numerous festivals and became their second album to be nominated for the Mercury Prize.

THE DREAM will be available on CD and 180g vinyl as well as various limited colour vinyl formats. There will also be a limited-edition hardback book CD that reproduces the notebook Joe Newman used to write the album featuring his original handwritten lyrics and drawings. The official artist store also includes merchandise bundles with signed print and exclusive vinyl and cassette formats.

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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