Gary Kemp is going it alone with his first solo album in 25 years ‘INSOLO’.
Preceded by lead single Ahead of the Game, the 11 track set was recorded during the pandemic and sees Gary take on guitar duties on every song, in addition to lead vocals.
According to a press release, ‘INSOLO’ focuses on two dominant themes: the paradox of solitude in an urban landscape, and his growing obsession with life seen through a rear-view mirror and how the past infects our present.
Asked why now is the right time to return to his solo career, Gary says: “It’s confidence, playing around the world with Nick Mason gave me a certain reputation as a guitar player and singer that I never gained from Spandau Ballet.
“That allowed me to go and do my own record and I am of a certain age where I feel the need to understand the issues in the world and my own life, the only way I can do that is in the self-therapy of songwriting.”
Gary is joined by a heavyweight line-up of musicians on the album: the bass duties were handled by Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, David Gilmour), except Ahead of the Game and Too Much by Richard Jones of The Feeling, and Waiting for the Band by Gary’s brother, Martin Kemp.
Other appearances include Ged Lynch (Peter Gabriel, Electronic, Goldfrapp), Roger Taylor (Queen) and Ash Soan (Seal, Adele, Rod Stewart, Trevor Horn).
‘INSOLO’, released June 18, is available to pre-order on CD and LP. Signed CDs are also available.
Tracklist: Gary Kemp – ‘INSOLO’
- In Solo (6:23)
- A Rumour of You (5:36)
- Waiting for the Band (5:28)
- Ahead of the Game (3:53)
- I Remember You (3:47)
- Too Much (4:15)
- The Fastest Man In the World (4:29)
- I am the Past (4:36)
- The Feet of Mercury (3:32)
- The Haunted (6:02)
- Our Light (4:06)