John Lydon has claimed that he is still “ahead of the pack” on new Public Image Ltd. album ‘What The World Needs Now…’
Speaking to NME in this week’s issue, available digitally and on newsstands now, Lydon says that the album is a dramatic improvement on 2012’s ‘This Is PiL’, their first studio album in 20 years.
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“I loved that last album, but this is the next level,” he says. “It’s timeless. I don’t do that fashion-of-the-moment thing. I am ahead of the pack, I never fall behind. And I don’t want to sound like anybody else. That’s the key to my success.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Lydon pre-emptively defends his Vivienne Westwood rant on the song ‘Turkey Tits’, a forthcoming B-side to single ‘Double Trouble’ (out August 21). “I don’t mean to be outspoken,” he says. “I just feel the need to comment when I see something that’s wrong. Or even when it’s right.”
Earlier this month, the group announced the September 4 release date of their 10th studio album.
The new album was recorded at Spencer Davis Group member Steve Winwood’s Wincraft studio in the Cotswolds and was self-funded by the band. PiL will precede the album with lead single ‘Double Trouble’ on August 21.
The ‘What The World Needs Now…’ tracklisting is as follows:
‘Double Trouble’
‘Know Now’
‘Betty Page’
‘C’est La Vie’
‘Spice Of Choice’
‘The One’
‘Big Blue Sky’
‘Whole Life Time’
‘I’m Not Satisfied’
‘Corporate’
‘Shoom’
The band have also announced details of an upcoming tour of the UK and Europe. Lydon and co will kick off a 23-date stretch in Glasgow on September 18, before playing Manchester, Bristol, London and more.
PiL will then play several Europeans dates, with North American shows to be announced. See their UK schedule in full below.
Public Image Ltd will play:
Glasgow 02 ABC (September 18)
Manchester Academy (19)
Newcastle Riverside (20)
York Fibbers (22)
Coventry Warwick University (23)
Bristol 02 Academy (25)
Buckley Tivoli (26)
Reading Sub 89 (27)
Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion (29)
Norwich UEA (30)
London 02 Shepherds Bush Empire (October 2)
Frome Cheese & Grain (October 3)
Southampton Engine Rooms (October 4)