Way way back in the 1980’s Rick Astley made us a heap of promises, and today he’s making good on them! The guy that would never give us up, let us down, or say goodbye, is back with a brand new album! “Are We There Yet?” released October 13th!
DOWNLOAD: “Are We There Yet?”
Though it’s been 36 years since he shot to fame, Rick Astley is still - perhaps MORE than ever - a prominent force in pop culture. He’s become an unlikely media sensation, and his era-defining “Never Gonna Give You Up” was boosted even more by it’s recent use in a Ted Lasso scene.
After returning to #1 in 2016 with “50”, Rick has enjoyed the strongest run of album chart positions of his entire career. His long-awaited 9th studio album “Are We There Yet?”, and its first single, “Dippin My Feet” are being met with wild enthusiasm. I can’t wait until you’re able to hear them!
Some of the new songs were started during lockdown in 2020, but he decided to leave them deliberately unfinished until it was feasible to play them live again. A simple, unadorned piano ballad “Blue Sky” speaksof the natural serenity that came from lockdown, but it’s a set that draws upon an eclectic array of inspirations. Some are the result of the invigoration that Rick has enjoyed while celebrating the music of The Smiths during life-affirming shows with Blossoms. Others came from his huge sold-out North American arena tour with New Kids On The Block, Salt ‘N’ Pepa and En Vogue.
Between shows, Rick would often gaze at the seemingly infinite roads ahead of him and think, ‘Are We There Yet?’. Ricks ays, “Now, that phrase has multiple meanings. Are we there yet in my musical ambitions? Am I done with my career? Have we arrived? Or are we still travelling?” The time that Rick spent in America’s heartland together with his lifelong love of soul stalwarts Bill Withers, Al Green and Marvin Gaye also informed the new album. It’s particularly prominent in‘ Dippin My Feet’, which puts an invigorating twist on Rick’s signature style.
Rick will be announcing details of a UK headline tour in November, followed by massive arena dates in 2024. Go to https://rickastley.co.uk/ to see if he’ll be appearing anywhere you can catch him. It will be a show you won’t want to miss! Our beloved Belinda Carlisle will be his special guest at most engagements.
