The Who have announced a new studio album, Who, which is set to arrive on November 22nd via Polydor Records. Along with sharing the album’s lead single, “Ball & Chain”, The Who also announced a fresh batch of 2020 U.K. tour dates.
The Who’s forthcoming studio effort follows up 2006’s Endless Wire and was recorded during sessions in London and Los Angeles earlier this year. Co-produced by Pete Townshend and D. Sardy, the 11-track LP sees founding members Townshend and Roger Daltrey backed by the longtime Who rhythm section of drummer Zak Starkey and bassist Pino Palladino. Who also features guest contributions from Simon Townshend, Benmont Tench, Carla Azar, Joey Waronker, and Gordon Giltrap.
“I think we’ve made our best album since Quadrophenia in 1973, Pete hasn’t lost it, he’s still a fabulous songwriter, and he’s still got that cutting edge,” Roger Daltrey explained in a statement regarding the new album.
Townshend also shared his thoughts on the new album. He explained,
This album is almost all new songs written last year, with just two exceptions. There is no theme, no concept, no story, just a set of songs that I (and my brother Simon) wrote to give Roger Daltrey some inspiration, challenges and scope for his newly revived singing voice. Roger and I are both old men now, by any measure, so I’ve tried to stay away from romance, but also from nostalgia if I can. I didn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Memories are OK, and some of the songs refer to the explosive state of things today. I made new home studio demos of all these songs in the summer of 2018 using a wide collection of instruments old and new. We started recording as The Who in March 2019, and have finished now in late August just in time to make some vinyl . . . maybe even some cassettes . . ready for release in November.
Listen to the band’s new “Ball & Chain” single below:
The Who – “Ball & Chain”
[Audio: TheWho]
Along with the album announcement, The Who announced a 2020 U.K. tour. The band’s tour kicks off with a performance in Manchester on March 16th before heading to Dublin on March 18th, Newcastle on March 21st, Glasgow on March 23rd, Leeds on March 25th, Cardiff on March 30th, Birmingham on April 1st, Nottingham on April 3rd, Liverpool on April 6th, and a tour-closing show in London on April 8th. Tickets for the newly announced U.K. dates go sale next Friday, September 20th at 10 a.m. local time.
Fans can head here to pre-order The Who’s new album. For a full list of the band’s upcoming tour dates, ticketing, and more information, head to The Who’s website.
