The new Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds record, Council Skies, will be released through Sour Mash Records on June 2 and brings Mr. G back to his Mancunian roots.

“It’s going back to the beginning," Noel reflects. “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."

To whet appetites, Noel has just dropped a new single, 'Easy Now', with accompanying video:

As previously revealed on hotpress.com, three of the tracks including recent single, 'Pretty Boy' feature his old pal and boyhood hero Johnny 'Fucking' Marr.

Elsewhere, Robert Smith from The Cure, David Holmes and the Pet Shop Boys contribute remixes to the tasty looking special edition.

The Sour Mash folk tell us that, “The artwork, shot by renowned 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.

“Throughout the accompanying album artwork, Cummins captures locations poignant to Noel’s formative years - culminating with a striking image of Manchester’s Piccadilly train station, marking the moment Noel left his home city for London. This visual representation perfectly encapsulates the themes, journey and emotional heart of Council Skies."

The album takes its title from a book by revered northern illustrator and friend of Noel, Peter McKee and covers themes of "youthful yearning and unbridled ambition."

It all seems to put pay to the latest round of tiresome rumours about a possible Oasis reunion.

The full Council Skies track-listing is:

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:

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, County Durham, Hardwick Festival
26 August, Manchester, Wythenshawe Park