Blondie are back with a new single and album. Paul McLoone will have the single on the show tonight and more Blondie news.
#FirstForMusic
POLLINATOR.
The new album.
More information coming Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/nuJ6vRxXYN— Debbie Harry/BLONDIE (@BlondieOfficial) January 30, 2017
Blondie lights up 2017 with the release of their 11th studio album Pollinator by BMG on May 5th - an incredible new record and a modern take on the classic, vintage sound of one of the world’s most influential and legendary bands.
New York’s famed recording studio, The Magic Shop, notably known for David Bowie’s last two albums as well as one by Lou Reed, was a particularly fitting setting to inspire Blondie’s musical creativity. The last album recorded at The Magic Shop prior to its closure, Pollinator is a riot of sound and musical colour; its 11 tracks represent the continuation of a 40+ year musical conversation that Blondie started.
From the new album Pollinator, the lead single “Fun” is available to stream and download now. Plus a highly collectible 7” vinyl pressing of “Fun” will be available to order from independent retailers on February 1st - with only 1000 copies available.
“Fun” co writer and TV On the Radio’s Dave Sitek, perhaps more a descendent of Blondie’s New York post-punk legacy, returns them to a 21st Century Studio 54 with the new single. With Debbie Harry and the band sounding better than ever, Blondie’s euphoric new track plays like the best party ever thrown, and captures that unique combination of their enviable cool and sheer melodic joy.
Blondie’s classic writing duo of Chris Stein and Debbie Harry are at the heart of Pollinator’s creation - with “Doom Or Destiny” and “Love Level”, while keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen’s two tracks (“Already Naked” / “Too Much”) prove the band continues to evolve almost song by song. Blondie’s founding drummer Clem Burke provides the unmistakably thrilling propulsion throughout.
And Chris Stein’s fascination with modern culture sees him mine a song from Adam Johnston aka an Unkindness (“Fragments”), first heard as a sample on the Vancouver based indie artist’s YouTube movie reviews.
Producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, John Grant, War On Drugs, David Byrne) brought the band into the studio to record live, capturing the essence of one of the founders of punk rock, a genre that defined his life.
Pop’s uber writers and chart queens Sia (the shimmering synth led “Best Day Ever”) and Charli XCX (digital, bubble gum punk of “Gravity”) are fans invited by an admiring Blondie to contribute.
The Smiths’ Johnny Marr, an old friend and admirer writes “My Monster” and joins the band on guitar, while Dev Hynes (Blood Orange, Lightspeed Champion) cements an enduring partnership with Blondie by channeling shards of “Heart Of Glass” into the irresistible “Long Time”.
