UNKLE are back with their fifth studio album The Road Part 1 set for release on June 23 on Pod.
James Lavelle of UNKLE (pictured above) has revealed a new single from the album titled Looking for Rain, featuring Mark Lanegan and Mercury Prize nominee ESKA.
The Road Part 1 is a collective venture featuring artists such as folk-rocker and poet Keaton Henson, Primal Scream’s Andrew Innes, The Dukes Spirit’s Leila Moss, ESKA and Lanegan. Lavelle also collaborated with Queens of the Stone Age drummer Jon Theodore and Beck’s drummer Justin Stanley.
The album was recorded in both London and LA and is a product of wanting to create something fresh and innovative whilst still celebrating the rich history of UNKLE.
Talking about the role collaboration had in the project James Lavelle says, “I hadn’t made a record in a while, and the incarnation of UNKLE had changed in that now, it was me on my own. For that reason, I wanted to make a record that I hadn’t been able to before, going back to the roots of where I came from, with a foot in modern London.”
Visual experience also played a vital role for Lavelle in the creation of the album, teaming up with esteemed artists. To achieve this he has created thought provoking videos with the help of visionaries, Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones, with more to be revealed.
Lavelle has also curated a series of art exhibitions including his latest exhibition Daydreaming with UNKLE Presents THE ROAD: SOHO which celebrated the rich history of UNKLE.
The Road Part 1 is out on June 23.
