Released: October 21
Simple Minds return to their anthemic best of their latest album ‘Direction Of The Heart’.
The nine-track set – the group’s first release since 2018’s ‘Walk Between Worlds’ – is a vibrant celebration of life, albeit with poignant beginnings.
Opening with lead single Vision Thing, with music written by guitarist Charlie Burchill and lyrics by frontman Jim Kerr, the song is a tribute to the vocalist’s “best pal”, his late father who passed away in 2019.
It sets the pace for a concise collection that encapsulates the essence of past and present Simple Minds – not least of all because it draws on the band’s earlier work, reimagined through the lens of the present day.
The thundering Planet Zero originated in August 2011 during the ‘Greatest Hits + Europe Tour’, while Act of Love is a reimagining of one the earliest songs written in 1978 by Jim and Charlie, coinciding with the group’s first performance at Glasgow’s Satellite City in January 1978.
In addition to new collaborations from the pair, bassist Ged Grimes also contributes as a co-writer on the single First You Jump, having penned album cut Solstice Kiss during sessions for 2014’s ‘Big Music’, with the track now finding a home on ‘Direction Of The Heart’.
Although streamlined, the energetic set more than makes up for the shortened tracklist with the quality of its offerings, which includes Human Traffic, featuring a guest appearance from Sparks’ frontman Russell Mael.
Closing the set is an electrifying cover of the Call’s 1983 single The Walls Came Down, proving Simple Minds have plenty of life left in them, 45 years into their career.
‘Direction Of The Heart’ is one of the most exciting and captivating releases from the group, certainly in recent history, with Jim crediting the band’s desire to push forward through the strife of the past two years for the stellar set.
“How to make a feel-good ‘Electro-rock’ record, during the very worst of times? ‘Direction Of The Heart’ is the result of that challenge,” he says. “Who would have thought we’d have so much fun creating it?”
Their enjoyment is infectious and ‘Direction Of The Heart’ a testament to one of the UK’s most enduring acts’ determination to stay creative and continue delivering great pop music after decades at the top – long may they continue!
‘Direction Of The Heart’ is available now.
