Happy Mondays' Shaun Ryder has said that a new album from the band is close to being completed.
Ryder revealed that he has already written and recorded six new tracks, before heading back into the studio to finish off this new record, which would be their first album since 2007's, Uncle Dysfunktional.
“I was back in the studio recording new Mondays stuff and then I broke off to do The Black Grape tour", Ryder said. “Now I’m back in the studio, carrying on making the new Mondays album. Up to now, I think I’ve got about six tracks, so I need another six".
Ryder also added that he has been working with producers, while the rest of the band have yet to join the creative process.
“The other members haven’t done anything yet. I’m just with the producers, but yeah, we’ve got six new tracks", stated Ryder.
Such producers see Ryder joining forces with Sheffield producer Richard Barratt, who is renowned for his work with electronic band All Seeing I and the Tony Christie single Walk Like a Panther.
Ryder also hinted that this album holds similarities with Happy Mondays' 1990s classics Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches.
He said: “Get some beats up and then add basslines and guitars late when we’ve got the beats and I’ve written the lyrics".
Even now, Ryder still takes inspiration from classic Beatles hits like I Am the Walrus, Bungalow Bill, Octopus’s Garden.
“I take a few things from the news, mix it in with a bit of real life and then add all sorts of cartoon bull****", he said.
Politics clearly play a part in Ryders' new material, and one political figure in particular.
Asked if current affairs influence his writing, Shaun Ryder did not hold band, taking aim at US President Donald Trump, castigating him with blunt words.
"Yeah, that f****** orange w***** [Trump]. It’s certainly influenced by him. I hate him. He’s a ****!", Ryder said.
Moving onto British politics, Ryder said he is a “born Labour”, but joked about the tax bill: “I just can’t bring myself to be a Tory".
Shaun Ryder hopes this new Happy Sundays album will be finished before the Summer, with the release date being decided by long time manager, Alan McGee.
"Hopefully that should be out either towards the end of the year or 2027 — whenever Alan thinks is the best time to release it", he said.
Back in 2022, Happy Mondays did release their EP, 'Tart Tart', in honour of their late bassist and Shaun's brother, Paul Ryder. More on this from Nova here.
