Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp announces new solo album: hear the first single now

On By Pranco

November 12, 2024, 1:30 PM

Gary Kemp on tour with ex-Pink Floyd man Nick Mason

Gary Kemp on tour with ex-Pink Floyd man Nick Mason.

Image:
Getty Images


Gary Kemp reveals which fellow musician helped him out of writer’s block.

Gary Kemp is best known as the lead guitarist and principal songwriter of Spandau Ballet, but when the band has not been together he has also pursued a solo career.

After its debut in 1995 Small bruises and 2021 InsolKemp has now announced his third studio album This destination.

The album will be released on January 31, 2025 via East West Records and is available for pre-order now.

It’s followed by the single ‘Put Your Head Up’, which you can stream now.

“The song is essentially a conversation I had with myself, trying to encourage positivity despite life’s usual headwinds,” Kemp said of the song.

Gary Kemp – Put Your Head Up (Official Video)

Kemp also revealed that he suffered from writer’s block while making the album, which was alleviated with the help of another high-profile musician.

“It was Richard Hawley,” he said. “We talked for a while and I told him that I was going around in circles that day trying to write something.

“He said, ‘Okay, here’s what you need to do. Go to the piano and sit down… put your hands over the keys. I’m going to go now, and you’re going to write the damn thing.’ brilliant song.”

Gary Kemp in 2018

Gary Kemp in 2018.

Photo: Getty Images


Kemp added of the album’s title track: “It’s about my relationship with music. Whatever I’m going through, whatever conflict arises, the process of making music is my solution. That’s my destiny.”

The album features input from a number of collaborators, with strings arranged by ex-Durutti Column man John Metcalfe, bass from Pink Floyd collaborator Guy Pratt and keyboards from Toby Chapman.

Chapman also co-produced the album, which will be available on vinyl, CD and digital, with Kemp at Reformation and RAK studios in London.

The full tracklist of This destination is as follows:

  1. Borrowed city
  2. This destination
  3. Raise your head
  4. Take the wheel
  5. Dancing in bed
  6. Windy Street (1978)
  7. Johnny comes home
  8. At the castle
  9. Work
  10. Giving up
  11. I know where I’m going

Bonus Tracks:

  1. Boy
  2. True (live acoustic version)
  3. Through the Barricades (live acoustic version)