Rufus Wainwright announces new 'Unfollow The Rules' album, unveils Joni Mitchell-inspired 'Damsel in Distress'
Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright just announced the release of his long-awaited ninth studio album. Titled 'Unfollow The Rules', the upcoming LP will drop on Friday, April 24, via BMG records.
In a move that seems appropriate given the album title, Wainwright also revealed that the record will be arranged in the form of a play, with a distinct three-act structure.
Rufus will also be playing two intimate shows in April at the Islington Assembly Hall in London, with two further dates penciled in for Glasgow and Ireland in August. A complete list of UK tour dates is due to be announced shortly.
To celebrate the new album announcement, Wainwright has also decided to premiere a single from the album titled 'Damsel In Distress', along with an official companion video, created by award-winning animator Josh Shaffner.
"'Damsel In Distress' is a homage to Joni Mitchell in some ways," says Wainwright, "Particularly the structure. My husband and I now live in Laurel Canyon. I wasn't that familiar with Joni's music but Jörn became obsessed and took me on a journey into her music."
Rufus also revealed that he had even met the inimitable folk singer in person. "We ended up hanging out with her and I get now why she's one of the greats."
"So it's part Laurel Canyon, part a song about a personal relationship that I'm trying to come to terms with, but mostly my Joni Mitchell virginity being broken," he shared. You can check out the music video for the new single below:
Wainwright's first new pop album since 2012, 'Unfollow The Rules' finds the 46-year-old singer at the peak of his powers, embracing his artistic maturity while remaining as creative, honest, and mischievous as ever.
Produced by Mitchell Froom (of Crowded House, Paul McCartney, Suzanne Vega fame) at a variety of legendary Los Angeles studios – including Sound City Studios, United Recording, and EastWest Studios – the album serves as both a bookend to the first act of Wainwright's remarkable career and as the prologue to an extraordinary new second act.
Inspired by middle age, married life, fatherhood, friends, loss, London and Laurel Canyon, songs like 'Only The People That Love' and the spirited, symphonic 'Hatred' find the gifted artiste ready to tackle new challenges, yet compelled to confront his past by making sense of how much he has matured.
"What I would like this album to symbolize is a coming together of all the aspects of my life which have made me a seasoned artist," says Wainwright.
"My aim is to emulate the greats of yore whose second acts produced their finest work, like Leonard Cohen, Frank Sinatra, and Paul Simon." The singer also wryly quipped, "Pop music isn't always about your waistline. Many songwriters improve with age. I'm flying the flag for staying alive!"
Rufus will be playing the following UK and Ireland dates:
Two shows at the Islington Assembly Hall in London on Monday, April 27
Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow on Saturday, August 1
All Together Now, County Waterford, Ireland, on Sunday, August 2
If you would like to re-order Rufus Wainwright's new album before April 24, you can do so by clicking here.