Courteeners announce seventh studio LP Pink Cactus Café with lead single 'Solitude Of The Night Bus'

UK indie rockers The Courteeners have announced their seventh studio album, Pink Cactus Café, set for release on October 25 via Ignition Records.

Accompanying the news is a LP’s lead single ‘Solitude Of The Night Bus’, available to stream now. The track’s video, directed by Dom Foster, follows singer Liam Fray on a nocturnal journey aboard the No. 17 bus, where the artwork from ‘Pink Cactus Café’ comes to life around him.

“This came at a time of real questioning,” said Fray of the song. “Things weren’t going particularly well. No confidence. No direction. I think that’s why - whisper it - it’s on the fun side. This is the new us. I’d previously worked with Ola [Modupe-Ojo] on ‘Hanging Off Your Cloud’ and, like then, there was just a magic in the room that was irresistible.

“It’s a summer breeze. But it’s a winter’s night. Either way, sometimes you have to block out the noise. My late Uncle Pat loved a whistle so it’s a bit of a homage to him. Get on the bus; headphones in; go your own way. It’s the feel good, imposter syndrome hit of the summer.”

Formed in Greater Manchester in the ‘00s, Pink Cactus Café marks Courteeners’ first new music since 2020’s More. Again. Forever. Elsewhere, the reissue of debut album St. Jude reached No.1 in the UK Album Charts in 2023, fifteen years after its original release.

The upcoming LP sees Fray co-producing all tracks, with contributions coming from "friends of the band" such as DMA’S, Brooke Combe, James and Ian Skelly (The Coral), Pixey, Charlie Salt (Blossoms) and more.

“The last record came out on the cusp of lockdown so straight away I went into panic (writing) mode...on my own but with no real plan,” explained Fray. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a side project, Courteeners, solo project. Everything was up in the air. I started reaching out on my Indie Rolodex as a bit of fun really, and it’s ended up being the most collaborative and rewarding thing we’ve ever done.”

The project will be available in various formats: CD, LP, and cassette. Signed albums and heavyweight vinyl, including limited edition coloured formats, will also be offered, with all vinyl versions featuring an exclusive bonus track. Digital formats

Pre-order/save Pink Cactus Café here.