Charlie Simpson today releases his eagerly anticipated third solo album ‘Hope Is A Drug’. Listen HERE. The album follows his previous Top 10 hits ‘Young Pilgrim’ (2011) and ‘Long Road Home’ (2014) as his solo career continues the third stage of a varied and remarkable career. He has also achieved further three Top 3 and four Top 20 albums split between his time with the chart-conquering, BRIT Award-winning Busted and the critically acclaimed Fightstar. The album has been previewed with eclectic support from Radio 2, Kerrang!, Rock Sound and Dork.
The majority of ‘Hope Is A Drug’ was self-produced at Charlie’s own recording studio, built from scratch during lockdown. The result is his most personal work to date and represents a stylistic departure from his previous releases. It finds Charlie merging confessional singer-songwriting with vocodered vocals and alt-pop synths, an approach which has led to standout moments including the rousing alt-rock opening anthem and current single ‘All The Best’, the uptempo pop of ‘Blameless’, the intimate ballad ‘I See You’ and the regretful ‘Twice’.
In contrast to his primarily band-orientated back catalogue, ‘Hope Is A Drug’ also features several piano-based compositions which have been stripped back to their bare bones. Opening up Charlie’s vulnerable and revealing lyrics, it’s a style that’s especially moving in the album’s closing song ‘Sliding Doors’ as he expresses gratitude for all of the tiny quirks of fate that have played a big part in leading him to where he is today. It’s also a song that captures the album’s optimistic spirit, with a reminder that a moment that could change your life for the better could be waiting just around the corner.
Charlie says, “Everyone has been touched by the feeling of hope. It’s fascinating how the human psyche has the endless capacity for optimism as a mechanism for overcoming adversity. The effects of hope are like a powerful drug, and it’s inspired me to return to the theme time and time again in my lyrics.”
‘Hope Is A Drug’ proves that Charlie’s uncompromising approach to creating truly honest music will make 2022 an exciting new chapter for one of the UK’s most celebrated voices. The album is available to pre-order HERE. Signed vinyl, CDs and cassettes are available from Charlie’s official store, as well as a selection of bundles which also offer new merch designs.
Last autumn saw Charlie Simpson play his first solo triumphant show in over six years at a sold-out O2 Forum Kentish Town to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his debut solo album ‘Young Pilgrim’. He is now set to tour in support of ‘Hope Is A Drug’ at the following dates, which he says will mix new songs, old favourites and some surprise moments. He is also preparing his own personally curated Lions Fest, more details of which will be announced soon. Remaining tickets for the tour are available HERE. KiD RAiN is special guest.
MAY
10th – London, Lafayette
12th – Newcastle, Boiler Shop
13th – Glasgow, Oran Mor
15th – Norwich, Waterfront
16th – Leeds, Brudenell
18th – Birmingham, O2 Institute 2
20th – Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
21st – Brighton, Concorde 2
22nd – Oxford, O2 Academy
24th – Bristol, Thekla
25th – Swansea, Hangar 18
27th – Stoke, Sugarmill
28th – Manchester, Gorilla
29th – Dublin, Green Room
