Manic Street Preachers confirm they’ve written two new albums

One is acoustic, the other is a "European" album, says James Dean Bradfield

Manic Street Preachers have spoken about the two new albums they’ve been working on.

The band, who previously announced a haitus after a December 2011 show at the O2 Arena in London, have recorded 35 new tracks, which fit into two albums.

Speaking about the first one, singer James Dean Bradfield tells NME in this week’s magazine which is on newsstands now or available digitally: “We’ve nearly finished mixing this one. It’s much more acoustic based – I think there’s one electric guitar on the entire record. But it’s not Campfire Street Preachers, we’re not banging boxes or anything.” He adds: “The lead track sounds like a miox between ‘Rocks Off’-era Stones and Vegas-era Elvis.”

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Of the second album, he says: “It’s a lot spikier and shinier. It’s much more band-based, a tiny bit of krautrock influence. It’s not like ‘The Holy Bible’ but there’s a bit of the same intent and threat. Lyrically, it’s got a European fascination. The landscape of Europe, the malaise of Europe, the malaise of us Brits not feeling part of it. We’re not talking like the Tories, don’t worry – there’s not a song where we opt out of Europe. The lead track is me singing half in English and half in German.”

The band recently revealed that they are working on a new track called ‘Four Lonely Roads’ with folk singer Cate Le Bon. They have also said Richard Hawley will appear on some of the new material.

The Manics are due to play Festival No 6 at the village of Portmeirion in North Wales over the weekend of September 13-15. Other acts on the bill include Neon Neon, James Blake, Everything Everything, Jagwar Ma, Temples and Aluna George. For more information head to Festivalnumber6.com now.

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