Richard Ashcroft has released a new acoustic version of “This Thing Called Life”. The new track is taken from the artist’s upcoming new album, Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1, set to be released on 29th October 2021.
The Verve’s former frontman has also released a new music video to accompany his reworking of a 2010 single. The original track has been stripped of its heavy but steady hip-hop-influenced beats and has been given a somewhat softer side. Ashcroft’s new re-working replaces electric guitar embellishments with light acoustic lines whilst retaining the song’s core melodies and harmonies. The video itself is paired with an imaginary performance by Ashcroft filmed at Richmond Theatre and footage of the singer’s life and childhood.
The original release of “This Thing Called Life” was taken from the singer’s album United Nations of Sound and featured legendary producer and artist No I.D. The album was released on 19th July 2010 via record label Parlophone and music company Razor & Tie. The album was released under the artist’s name but was recorded with the British alternative rock group RPA & The United Nations of Sound, a musical project by Ashcroft. The 12-track release debuted at number 20 within the UK album charts and sired two singles.
The singer took to his Instagram to announce the track’s release.
Ashcroft’s new acoustic re-mix is not the first song to be released from the singer’s next album, a re-recorded version of the 1997 mega-hit “Bittersweet Symphony” was released earlier in the month. Ashcroft began working on the revised recording in 2019 and has since gained some rights to his former band’s release. The song famously features a sample taken from the Rolling Stone’s track “The Last Time”, due to the sample’s inclusion the band were not privy to the track’s musical rights. However, since a direct appeal was sent to Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards some legalities over the track were reportedly re-visited.
Ashcroft’s sixth solo release was recorded at the iconic London Abbey Road Studios and is co-produced by Richard and Chris Potter, the former being a long-time collaborator and producer with the singer and The Verve. Potter won the 1998 Best Producer Brit Award for his work on The Verve’s third studio album Urban Hymns released in 1997. The album became the band’s most loved and best-selling album, boasting such singles as “Bitter Sweet Symphony” and the anthem “The Drugs Don’t Work”. Potter brings an instrumental influence on the new release with a live band featuring string arrangements played by Will Malone, Brass sections by Roddy Bloomfield, Acoustic guitar and backing vocals by Steve Wyreman and piano played by Chuck Leavell.
The upcoming album will feature acoustic versions of tracks from Ashcroft’s solo career as well as a collection of classics taken from The Verve’s repertory. The 12-track album will also include a collaboration with fellow 90’s music icon, Liam Gallagher, the pair’s version of “C’mon People (We’re Making it Now)” is included within the album. The original single was released in 2000 and is taken from Ashcroft’s debut solo album Alone With Everybody. A press release describes how the track became one of the duo’s favourites, stating that Ashcroft “ “originally played it to Liam on piano somewhere in Majorca in 1998”.
Ashcroft will be hitting the road next month with a series of live performances, the artist’s upcoming shows will feature acoustic versions of his best-loved tracks.
Click here to pre-order Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1
Richard Ashcroft UK Tour Dates
16/10/2021 – The London Palladium – London
17/10 – The London Palladium – London
29/10 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool01/11 – Royal Albert Hall – London
23/07/2022 – Wollaton Park – Nottingham
