Altered Images turned back the years when they returned with ‘Mascara Streakz’, the title track to their forthcoming album which follows on August 26th. It’s been 39 years since the band – led by Clare Crogan – released new music, but suddenly it was as if they’d never been away as they added a fresh contemporary touch to the classic Altered Images style.
Continuing to make-up for lost time, Altered Images now share ‘Beautiful Thing’, the second song to preview the album. ‘Beautiful Thing’ is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, as sadness, joy and nostalgia converge into a moment of ultimately uplifting sophisticated pop. Clare’s vocals again standout, her famous sweet coo now weathered with an engagingly husky edge. ‘Beautiful Thing’ was written by Clare and Bobby Bluebell of The Bluebells (‘Young At Heart’, ‘I’m Falling’). It was produced by her husband, Altered Images alumni Stephen Lironi.
Clare Grogan says, “‘Beautiful Thing’ is the first song I’ve written with Robert Hodgens, known to many as Bobby Bluebell. I’ve known Robert since I was 9 so he’s witnessed a lot of my tears over the years. I wanted to write an epic song about my need to express my every emotion through crying. He totally got it. I highly recommend it to everyone!”
Listen to ‘Beautiful Thing’ – BELOW:
Given that Clare Grogan’s many talents include acting for the stage and screen, presenting a variety of TV and radio shows, and writing two hit books, it’s no wonder that making music wasn’t at the forefront of her mind. But when the second lockdown was introduced, she was compelled to create something new. Joined by Stephen Lironi, Clare started writing and recording around the kitchen table, before further collaborators appeared as restrictions were lifted: their near-neighbour, former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, and Bobby Bluebell, a contemporary from Glasgow’s early ‘80s music scene.
Altered Images play a number of summer festival dates this month before embarking upon a UK headline tour in September. Remaining tickets are available HERE.
In their first incarnation, Altered Images enjoyed an intense burst of success that made them the brightest emerging stars of the new wave scene as well as the Best New Act at the NME Awards. In just two years, they released three studio albums and a catalogue of Top 10 classics – ‘Happy Birthday’, ‘I Could Be Happy’ and ‘Don’t Talk To Me About Love’ – that are still being discovered today. Altered Images have been touring on-and-off for the past two decades, most recently returning to arenas as guests of The Human League, but new music was never on the cards… until now.
Live dates:
JULY
6th – Rochester Castle (with The Human League)
9th – Hampshire, Lowdefest
10th – Cornbury Music Festival
16th – Sunderland, Kubix Music Festival
23rd – Perth, Rew!nd Festival
AUGUST
7th – Blackpool, R-Fest
13th – Glasgow, Kelvingrove Bandstand (with Edwyn Collins)
14th – Linlithgow, Party At The Palace
SEPTEMBER – HEADLINE TOUR
8th – Edinburgh, The Liquid Rooms
9th – Paisley, Spree
11th – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
12th – Bristol, The Fleece
13th – Brighton, Concorde 2
14th – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
16th – London, Islington Assembly Hall
SEPTEMBER
25th – Skegness, Absolute 80s Weekender
DECEMBER- HEADLINE SHOW
16th – Glasgow, St. Luke’s
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