High Flying Birds Council Skies

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have shared details of their forthcoming album Council Skies, released on 2 June via Sour Mash Records and available to pre-order now.

The band have also released a brand new single and music video, Easy Now, which you can watch below. 

Featuring Milly Alcock, who recently starred as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in the HBO series House Of The Dragon plus a cameo from Noel himself, the new music video was directed by multiple UK Music Video Awards winner, Colin Solal Cardo.

Council Skies was recorded at Noel’s own Lone Star Sound Recording Studios in London, with the album’s orchestrated strings recorded at Abbey Road Studios.

Produced by Noel with long-time collaborator Paul ‘Strangeboy’ Stacey, the album also features performances from Johnny Marr on three tracks, including recent single Pretty Boy.

Council Skies takes its title from a book by northern illustrator and friend of Noel, artist Pete McKee. It covers themes of youthful yearning, and unbridled ambition.

Speaking of the album, Noel says: “It’s going back to the beginning. Daydreaming, looking up at the sky and wondering about what life could be … that’s as true to me now as it was in the early 90s. When I was growing up in poverty and unemployment, music took me out of that. Top of the Pops on TV transformed your Thursday night into this fantasy world, and that’s what I think music should be. I want my music to be elevating and transforming in some way.”

The artwork, shot by Manchester photographer Kevin Cummins, sees Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ live equipment setup placed on the original centre spot of what was Maine Road Football Stadium, with this year marking 100 years since the ground was opened as the former home of Noel’s beloved Manchester City FC. 

New single Easy Now follows the recent release of Pretty Boy – the first track to be taken from the new album.

Council Skies is available to pre-order now on CD, heavyweight vinyl with bonus 7” featuring an exclusive acoustic version of Pretty Boy, LP picture disc plus various HD digital formats including a Dolby Atmos spatial audio version.

Deluxe limited-edition formats will also be released including a 3LP and 2CD featuring remixes by The Cure’s Robert Smith, Pet Shop Boys and a Radio 2 session version of Live Forever.

A lyric sheet of title track Council Skies is included with all album pre-orders via the official store.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Council Skies cover

Council Skies tracklist:

  1. I’m Not Giving Up Tonight
  2. Pretty Boy
  3. Dead To The World
  4. Open The Door, See What You Find
  5. Trying To Find A World That’s Been And Gone
  6. Easy Now
  7. Council Skies
  8. There She Blows!
  9. Love Is A Rich Man
  10. Think Of A Number
  11. Bonus Track – We’re Gonna Get There In The End

 

Deluxe Album Tracklist:

 

Disc 1:

  1. I’m Not Giving Up Tonight
  2. Pretty Boy
  3. Dead To The World
  4. Open The Door, See What You Find
  5. Trying To Find A World That’s Been And Gone
  6. Easy Now
  7. Council Skies
  8. There She Blows!
  9. Love Is A Rich Man
  10. Think Of A Number

 

Disc 2:

  1. Don’t Stop…
  2. We’re Gonna Get There In The End
  3. Mind Games
  4. Pretty Boy (Instrumental)
  5. Dead To The World (Instrumental)
  6. Council Skies (Instrumental)
  7. Think Of A Number (Instrumental)
  8. I’m Not Giving Up Tonight (David Holmes Remix)
  9. Think Of A Number (Pet Shop Boys Magic Eye 12” Remix)
  10. Pretty Boy (Robert Smith Remix)
  11. Council Skies (The Reflex Revision)
  12. Flying On The Ground (Radio 2 Session, 08.09.21)
  13. You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere (Radio 2 Session, 08.09.21)
  14. Live Forever (Radio 2 Session, 08.09.21)

 

2023 UK Headline Shows

 

21 July, Buckinghamshire, PennFest

28 July, London, Crystal Palace Bowl

05 August, Saffron Waldon, Essex, Audley End

19 August, Monmouthshire, Caldicot Castle

20 August, Sedgefield, Country Durham, Hardwick Festival

26 August, Manchester, Wythenshawe Park

 

Tickets available now here