Manic Street Preachers have broken their silence over new album Journal For Plague Lovers and unveiled Jenny Saville’s cover art today.
They also revealed the track listing, which seems to partially reprise the austerity of The Holy Bible (the album which it is already being hailed as a successor to) while displaying an unexpected tone of levity:
Peeled Apples
Jackie Collins Existential Question Time
Me and Stephen Hawking
This Joke Sport Severed
Journal For Plague Lovers
She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Bleach
Facing Page: Top Left
Marlon J.D.
Doors Closing Slowly
All Is Vanity
Pretension/Repulsion
Virginia State Epileptic Colony
William’s Last Words
A statement on the band’s site said:
"As we previously advised, we have been making music – to be more specific, we have been in Rockfield studio in Wales with Mr Steve Albini recording a new album, Journal For Plague Lovers.
"All 13 songs on the new record feature lyrics left to us by Richey. The brilliance and intelligence of the lyrics dictated that we had to finally use them. The use of language is stunning and topics include The Grande Odalisque by Ingres, Marlon Brando, Giant Haystacks, celebrity, consumerism and dysmorphia, all reiterating the genius and intellect of Richard James Edwards.
"The record is scheduled for release on 18th May and will be available on CD, deluxe 2 CD, download and LP.
"An original piece of Jenny Saville’s art is the cover for Journal for Plague Lovers, one of her paintings also graced the cover of 1994’s The Holy Bible."
