Marc Almond may just have released his latest solo album, but the enigmatic synth-pop icon is already looking to the future with talk of new music from Soft Cell.
‘I’m Not Anyone’, an inspired 11-song collection of cover versions personally curated by the singer, explores a breadth of styles through the lens of the performer as he finds himself today, in his new life in Portugal.
It arrives on the back of his and Dave Ball’s return to the UK Top 10 with ‘*Happiness Not Included’ (2022) and a run of live dates, and while Marc admits he’s “more of a studio person these days” due to a hearing problem,
“I’ve become more of a studio person these days,” he tells RETROPOP. “I enjoy hearing myself back in the studio more than I do hearing myself back doing live concerts.”
But Soft Cell’s renaissance has given him a new lease of life, with the ’80s double-act originally getting back together in 2000. “Soft Cell shows are more energetic than other things I do,” he laughs. “Half the time I’d rather sing with a piano sitting on a stool but I’ve really enjoyed being back out there with Dave.”
Will there be more new Soft Cell music? “There might be,” Marc teases. “Dave has sent me some ideas which I really like. So let’s see what happens. Soft Cell is an ongoing saga. It disappears for a while, comes back again, then disappears again.”
For now, he’s focussed on the solo record, but with plenty of opportunities on the table he’s determined to stay creative while embracing the legacy of a catalogue that’s soundtracked fans’ lives for decades.
“I like to surprise people,” he chuckles. “It’s very easy to be predictable when you get older because there’s always this desire from people for you just to play your hits all the time.
“I’m happy to sing Tainted Love forever or Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart or Bedsitter, but I like to throw other things into the mix as well. I still like to upset the apple cart.”
