The Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown returns with new solo album, shares lead single 'First World Problems'

Indie rock icons The Stone Roses returned in 2016 with 'All For One', their first single in more than 20 years. The following year saw the English alt-rock pioneers hit the road for a reunion tour that ended with a gig in Glasgow where Ian Brown addressed the crowd with the statement: "Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened," leading fans to speculate that the performance would be their final concert. While there's still no official word on The Roses with their second formation, Brown is making a comeback of his own. The singer on Thursday announced the new record 'Ripples', his first solo album in 10 years.
Due out March 1st, 2019 via Polydor, the LP serves as the long-awaited follow-up to 2009’s 'My Way'. Continuing with his DIY ethos, Brown self-produced and wrote a majority of 'Ripples', as well as created the artwork (which you can see below) and played most of the instruments heard throughout the record. Part of the LP was also a family affair. As Consequence of Sound notes, his sons have co-writing credits on three songs and provided additional instrumental contributions.
'Ripples' was recorded in Liverpool and “enhanced” at London’s Abbey Road Studios before undergoing mixing by longtime collaborator Steve Fitzmaurice. Across the 10 tracks, there are two covers as well: Barrington Levy’s 'Black Roses' and Mikey Dread’s 'Break Down The Walls'. In anticipation of the new record, the 55-year-old singer has shared the lead single, 'First World Problems'. The keyboard-driven track sees Brown step out of The Stone Roses' fuzzy psychedelic sound while still retaining a lot of their elements. Listen to the song below. An official music video is expected to follow soon.
'Ripples' tracklisting:
01. First World Problems
02. Black Roses
03. Breathe and Breathe Easy (The Everness of Now)
04. The Dream and the Dreamer
05. From Chaos to Harmony
06. It’s Raining Diamonds
07. Ripples
08. Blue Sky Day
09. Soul Satisfaction
10. Break Down the Walls (Warm Up Jam)
