Listen: Richard Ashcroft unveils new single and announces album date

'Surprised By The Joy' is an upbeat number which centres around Ashcroft's legendary signature vocals.

The video, which is shared below, was self-directed by Ashcroft himself.

Richard Ashcroft is set to return with the October 19 release of his fifth studio album Natural Rebel. The album will be released on his own RPA label and will be his first released via BMG.

Natural Rebel represents the latest chapter in the solo career for the former Verve frontman and Ivor Novello winner. It follows Alone With Everybody (#1, 2000), Human Conditions (#3, 2002), Keys to the World (#2, 2006) and These People (#3, 2016).

Featuring ten new songs, all of which were written by Ashcroft, Natural Rebel was produced by the singer-songwriter alongside Jon Kelly (Paul McCartney, Kate Bush) and Emre Ramazanoglu (Bobby Gillespie, Jarvis Cocker). The majority of its recording took place at State of the Ark Studiosin Richmond, with further sessions at The Bunker,Tileyard Studiosand Hoxa HQ.

Speaking about the album, Richard Ashcroft said: “With experience comes knowledge and for me this is my strongest set of songs to date. All my favourite sounds distilled into something that will hopefully give my fans lasting pleasure. It is for them. Music is power.”

Listen to 'Surprised By The Joy' below:

The tracklisting for Natural Rebel is:
All My Dreams
Birds Fly
Surprised By The Joy
That’s How Strong
Born To Be Strangers
That’s When I Feel It
We All Bleed
A Man in Motion
Streets of Amsterdam
Money Money