Exclusive: Manic Street Preachers confirm they're working on their 15th studio album

Manic Street Preachers’ Nicky Wire and James Dean Bradfield have exclusively told Absolute Radio that they’ve commenced work on their 15th studio album.

Speaking to Ben Burrell backstage at Isle of Wight Festival on Sunday (18th June) ahead of their headlining Big Top set, Nicky Wire confirmed that the legendary Welsh band are writing songs for the follow-up to 2021’s chart-topping ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament.’

“We're working on our 15th studio album,” Nicky revealed.

Asked by Ben how the recording process is going, Nicky quipped: “It’s quite fractious and nasty.”

Explaining more, James continued: “We just don't know where it is. I think the main difference is usually we have some kind of mission statement which we follow - kind of vaguely follow - when we do a new album. But at the moment this seems like a collection of songs. Yeah, good songs but there's no concept at the moment I don’t think.”

Agreeing, Nicky added: “No there’s not. ‘Ultra Vivid Lament’ was much more conceptual and lonely and sort of distanced from itself. But this one it does feel like we're just writing songs at the moment, but I'm sure I can mould something together!”

Reflecting on the importance of some sort of concept, Nicky said: “I think a thread is important. Our best records have definitely had a thread whether it's ‘The Holy Bible’ or ‘This is My Truth….’ They had some kind of interior monologue that fits the way we pursue a goal. And it just gives us… it frames something and makes it easier for us actually.”

You can watch the full Manic Street Preachers interview below where they also discuss how their songwriting has changed over the decades, how they pick their festival setlists, why they gave their 2001 album ‘Know Your Enemy’ a facelift, and Nicky’s apathy towards Tottenham Hotspur.

Watch Manic Street Preachers’ interview with Absolute Radio:

Listen to highlights of Manic Street Preachers’ set on the Big Top at Isle of Wight Festival:

Isle of Wight Festival 2023 in photos:

Listen to Absolute Radio on DAB nationwide, on our free app, by hitting that play button on the bottom of your screen and via your smart speaker (“Play Absolute Radio”).

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