Following the success of his 2024 studio effort Ship To Shore, British folk-rock pioneer Richard Thompson is set to return with his latest project, Hippies, Thugs And Heroes. The album is scheduled for release this fall, marking another significant chapter in the prolific career of the legendary songwriter.
The upcoming record was produced by Thompson alongside James Frazee and was tracked at Hobosound Studio in Weehawken, New Jersey. The sessions feature Thompson’s long-standing backing band, including bassist Taras Prodaniuk, drummer Michael Jerome, guitarist and fiddler David Mansfield, and backing vocalist Zara Phillips. Reflecting on the recording process, Thompson noted, “I think this is why this album came together so quickly. We could just steam through at high speed and not labor over everything.”
To coincide with the announcement, Thompson has shared the lead single, “Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking,” which is available to stream now.
Hippies, Thugs And Heroes is slated for an October 16 release via New West Records. In support of the new music, Thompson has also confirmed a series of tour dates across the UK and the United States, beginning in August.
Tracklist:
- 01 “Sorcerer’s Apprentice”
- 02 “Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking”
- 03 “Pauper’s Grave”
- 04 “Unsung Hero”
- 05 “Make Believe You Don’t Know Me”
- 06 “She Burns It All”
- 07 “Everybody’s Stealing”
- 08 “The Soul In Me”
- 09 “Pipe Dreams”
- 10 “The Big Smoke”
- 11 “Stringer”
- 12 “Siren”
