My Bloody Valentine Confirm First New Album In 22 Years

After 22 years worth of speculation, My Bloody Valentine have today confirmed the upcoming release of their third studio album.

The artwork, track list, and overall details are yet to be finalised and the band are planning to wait until “the very last minute” before deciding on a title, but according to Digital Spy, the new work is halfway through mixing.

The as-yet untitled album will be released on Kevin Shields’ website before the end of this year, with an EP of brand new material to follow in 2013.

The band’s legendary frontman told NME, “Based on the very, very few people who’ve heard stuff – some engineers, the band, and that’s about it – some people think it’s stranger than Loveless. I don’t. I feel it really frees us up, and in the bigger picture it’s 100% necessary.”

The record is to be based around songs the band began working on back in 1996, and although the band dropped a collection of previously unreleased tracks earlier this year, this will be their first new album since the release of their genre defining Loveless 22 years ago.

After their 1992 release, My Bloody Valentine were declared the leaders of the alt rock shoegaze movement, with Loveless remaining one of the quintessential guitar albums of the 90s to this day. However, amid the growing expectation for a follow up from the band, they effectively fell off the radar, disappearing from view, creating the hype that has no doubt reached its peak, making the announcement of a new LP all the more interesting.“some people think it’s stranger than Loveless. I don’t.” – Kevin Shields

With the new album officially on its way, expectations are high, but Shields aims to let the pieces fall where they may. “I’m expecting some trouble but, you know what? I don’t care about all of that.” The singer is confident “people who like us will immediately connect with something.”

Australian fans will be among the first to hear the new material live when the band come down under following a string of shows in Japan. Their headlining set at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in Melbourne will mark, not only their return to Australia, but also the return of the festival itself. The resurrected event – titled I’ll Be Your Mirror – was announced back in August, curated this year by The Drones.

My Bloody Valentine have also announced a national tour throughout February where they’re expected to hit venues in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

With a slightly altered lineup featuring Shields, Bilinda Butcher, Debbie Googe and co-founder Cold Ó Cíosóig, My Bloody Valentine’s long awaited return to our shores will bring relief to the fans who have endured the 21 year wait. One can only hope the new material will deliver.