Elvis Costello & The Imposters have shared “Magnificent Hurt”, the first single from their forthcoming album, The Boy Named If, due out on January 22nd via EMI/Capitol Records. The Boy Named If will mark Costello’s sixth release since October 2020.
As Costello explains of the forthcoming album, “The full title of this record is ‘The Boy Named If (And Other Children’s Stories).’ ‘IF,’ is a nickname for your imaginary friend; your secret self, the one who knows everything you deny, the one you blame for the shattered crockery and the hearts you break, even your own. You can hear more about this ‘Boy’ in a song of the same name.”
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The Boy Named If hears Costello focusing on the pivotal time in one’s life, the crossing of the line from childhood to adulthood, and “Magnificent Hurt” captures that essence perfectly. “Once upon a time, when I didn’t know what a kiss could do and didn’t even dare to caress, the way ahead was a mystery; a departing from that magic state called innocence for the pain that leads to pleasure and all that jazz,” said Costello in a press release.
He continued, “Don’t get me started about the guilt and shame and all those other useless possessions that you must throw overboard before you set sail with your dreamboat (and a runcible spoon).”
Produced by Costello and Sebastian Krys, The Boy Named If arrives as a collection of 13-tracks full of bright melodies, stinging guitar solos, and upbeat rhythms. “The initial rhythm section for this record was my guitar and Pete Thomas’ Gretsch drums, recorded down in Bonaparte Rooms West. Our Imposter pal of 20 years standing, Davey Faragher soon dialed in his Fender bass and vocals while we awaited dispatches from France.”
Costello added, “If the record sounded swell as a trio, Steve Nieve’s organ was the icing on the cake, the cherry and the little silver balls.”
Listen to “Magnificent Hurt” by Elvis Costello & The Imposters on the platform of your choice and pre-order The Boy Named If here. It will be available on vinyl, compact disc, and cassette formats, as well as an 88-page hardback storybook edition, numbered and signed by Costello. This edition features 13 illustrated short stories, which have the same titles as the songs on the record. Some of these fables set the scene for the songs, others are sequels, or a clue or hint to what might have been going on before the music began.
Check out the audio of “Magnificent Hurt” and a full The Boy Named If tracklist below.
Elvis Costello & The Imposters – “Magnificent Hurt”
Elvis Costello & The Imposters are currently on the Hello Again tour, which sees the group crisscrossing the U.S. through October and November. The band’s next scheduled show is set for tonight, October 28th, at Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI. Head here for tickets and more information and scroll down for a complete list of tour dates.
The post Elvis Costello & The Imposters Preview Forthcoming Album With First Single, “Magnificent Hurt” [Listen] appeared first on L4LM.