After spending a total of more than 20 years with Britain’s (probably) most notable name in the shoegaze movement, and the most part of a decade playing bass for Liam Gallagher both in Oasis and his slightly less positively accepted side project Beady Eye, singer, songwriter, DJ Andy Bell has announced his 3rd solo album in as many years, Flicker set for release February 11th. To celebrate the declaration of the new album, Bell has also dropped its first single ‘Something Like Love’ and a tour interestingly titled the “Andy Bell Space Machine”. Check out the video shot around London, below.
While the single is definitely reminiscent of its older brothers released during Ride’s time, ‘Something Like Love’ adds a bit more of an electronic twist, especially with the vocoder-type effect running through the vocals for the duration. In a statement with NME, Bell said, “The ‘flicker’ I’m talking about in the lyrics of ‘Something Like Love’ is that flame that makes a person who they are, I wanted to find that in myself, so I went back to the teenage me – a technique I learned in therapy and have been doing ever since – and got some advice on how to live and be happy in the 2020s.” Regarding the album as a whole, “Some of these songs date back to the ’90s and the cognitive dissonance of writing brand new lyrics over songs that are 20-plus years old makes it feel like it is, almost literally, me exchanging ideas with my younger self.” That explains the familiarity.
Until we get the rest of the LP, you can pre-order the album in a number of different formats, including a number of limited-edition vinyl colourways released through indie labels; Crash Records, Sister Ray Records, Mixed Up Records, and others on their official websites. Check his Twitter, linked below, for more details on the multitude of releases.
Thanks so much to @laurenlaverne for playing “Something like love” as her ‘While you were sleeping’ track today on @BBC6Music … “Flicker” is out 11th Feb on @soniccathedral https://t.co/uxicYQ25NF
— Andy Bell (@Andybebop) January 11, 2022
This April, Bell will also embark on a tour with Ride in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their classic Nowhere. Beginning in Sheffield on April 21st, and concluding at London’s Roundhouse on 29th, more information on the reunion can be found here.
See the full list of the “Andy Bell Space Machine” dates below, and full ticket information here:
31/1/22 – Three Wise Monkeys – Colchester
1/2 – Hot Box Live – Chelmsford
2/2 – The Black Prince – Northampton
3/2 – The Smokehouse – Ipswich
4/2 – The Jericho Tavern – Oxford
6/2 – The Town Hall – Trowbridge
12/2 – Rough Trade East – London
13/2 – Rough Trade – Bristol
14/2 – The Portland Arms – Cambridge
15/2 – Rough Trade – Nottingham
16/2 – Resident Music – Brighton
18/2 – Elsewhere – Margate
