Van Morrison shares new soulful single 'Pretending' from upcoming 43rd album, What's It Gonna Take?

Van Morrison has announced details of his 43rd studio album, titled What's It Gonna Take? and due for release on May 13th, 2022.

New single 'Pretending' marks the first track to be released from the project. The gorgeous restless soul track was produced by Van and recorded between Real World Studios (Wiltshire), Bath Spa Hotel (Bath), Richard Dunn’s Studio, Culloden Hotel (Co. Down) Holywood Studio (Co. Down) and Musicbox Studios (Cardiff).

What’s It Gonna Take? is the follow up to Van Morrison’s 2021 release, the 28-track double album Latest Record Project, Vol. 1. It's further evidence of the rich creative streak that one of the world’s greatest artists is currently on.

The new album features fifteen new Van Morrison compositions that collectively reflect the Belfast native's drive to record and perform live in front of audiences.

The veteran musician recently announced news of a special outdoor performance at King John’s Castle, Limerick on June 29th 2022.

Having been awarded a Brit, an OBE, an Ivor Novello, 6 Grammys, honorary doctorates from Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster, entry into The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and the French Ordres Des Artes Et Des Lettres; the international reach of Van’s musical art is abundantly clear. In 2016, he was knighted for services to the music industry and to tourism in Northern Ireland.

Morrison received an Oscar nomination in the 'Best Original Song' category for his Belfast soundtrack 'Down To Joy'. The track provides a beautiful opener to Kenneth Branagh's Academy Award-nominated semi-autobiographical feature film.

Check out the new visualiser for 'Pretending' below:

What’s It Gonna Take? – album tracklist:

1. Dangerous
2. What’s It Gonna Take?
3. Fighting Back Is The New Normal
4. Fodder For The Masses
5. Can’t Go On This Way
6. Sometimes It’s Just Blah Blah Blah
7. Money From America
8. Not Seeking Approval
9. Damage And Recovery
10. Nervous Breakdown
11. Absolutely Positively The Most
12. I Ain’t No Celebrity
13. Stage Name
14. Fear And Self-Loathing In Las Vegas
15. Pretending