LOVE, Dexys Midnight Runners latest, possibly last ever album, is a luminous collection of scenes and reckonings. Stories of family and friends, tales from past and present. All drawn from Kevin Rowlands life, each an individual jewel, threaded together with love. Songs begun three decades ago sit alongside those written in the last year. A vivid depiction of Rowland039s Irish immigrant childhood My Life in England Pt 1 a moving letter to his grandchildren Youre Alright a wistful moment at the start of a love affair I Want To Be Holding You Next Christmas a pinperfect portrait of time spent with a dying parent Once A Man, Twice A Child the difficulties of relationships when you039re older Old Love. All deeply personal, all true, all here the full human span of relationships, family and intimate emotion.The theme of this album Kevin039s ninth, Dexys039 seventh gradually emerged as the songs progressed. 34I dont remember when it happened, but I just thought, 039Hang on, these are all love songs, of different kinds039, he says. 34I knew then Call it LOVE.34 These are love songs, but not of the usual pop style. Not willshewon039tshe romance, but something more emotional and allencompassing. Those small moments that illustrate a rollercoaster sweep. 34Everyone came at this project with love,34 he says. To tell a lifetime of different loves. A love life.LOVE is also their first album under the Dexys Midnight Runners name since 1985s Dont Stand Me Down. We realised a couple of years ago that some young people know Dexys Midnight Runners from Geno and Come On Eileen, but some that we spoke to, were confused by the name, Dexys. And some, thought Dexys was a different outfit to Dexys Midnight Runners., says Kevin. Since Dexys returned in 2012, weve always felt what we do is worthy of a young audience, so it was a no brainer to revert to Dexys Midnight Runners.Those familiar with Kevins wonderful autobiography, Bless Me Father, will recognise some of the people in these songs his dad, his brother, his first love, more recent romances. But this is a Dexys Midnight Runners album, the group of players where Kevin began his music career, and where he works best. So his lyrics are explored and highlighted, lifted to greater heights by the songwriting and creativity of longtime collaborators Sean Read, Mike Timothy and Jim Paterson. There are strings, too, arranged by Brian Irving, originally from Belfast.Fellow Belfast man, DJ and musician David Holmes, is the album039s producer. Holmes had long wanted to work with Kevin and Dexys They were the first act I was ever truly obsessed with, the first I saw live. David039s older sister bought him a Walkman when he was 11, and his first cassette was Searching For the Young Soul Rebels. When Kevin sent him a demo of Once A Man, Twice a Child written with Sean soon after Dexys039 triumphant 2024 Glastonbury appearance, David was captivated. 34His song writing is so strong,34 he says.CDMy Life In England Pt.1Youve Got The LoveOnce A Man and Twice A ChildYoure Alright I Want To Be Holding You Next Christmas Ill Always Love YouStrange Feelin Its Over NowOld LoveMy Life In England Pt.2VinylSide AMy Life In England Pt.1Youve Got The LoveOnce A Man and Twice A ChildYoure Alright I Want To Be Holding You Next Christmas Side BIll Always Love YouStrange Feelin Its Over NowOld LoveMy Life In England Pt.2
