NEWS
Portishead‘s Beth Gibbons has shared a note to social media teasing that new solo music is coming “very soon”.
The singer-songwriter posted a handwritten update to her socials today (February 1), revealing a project called ‘Lives Outgrown’.
“Hi, it’s been a while but finally along with Domino I am able to offer some new music very soon,” she wrote. “It has been a long journey and spans over a decade, it’s called ‘Lives Outgrown’.”
Alongside the letter was a hand drawn concept-style image of the profile of a woman and the title ‘Lives Outgrown’ in a CD case.
“As usual it reflects what’s been going on with me internally, my 50’s have brought forward a new yet older horizon. It has been a time of farewells to family, friends and even to who I was before, the lyrics mirroring my anxieties and sleepless nighttime ruminations, hence ‘Lives Outgrown’.”
She continued: “Not just because of the way we travel through emotional or psychological transitions in our lives but relating more to the time we leave this planet and our motion into the unknown. Something I fear but just need to try and celebrate as a moment approaching, gifting the ability to grow beyond the restraints of this physical world.”
The artist said the sound of the project was a “process” that explored “structures within my own personal capabilities”. She continued: “I wanted to draw away from breakbeats and snares, focusing on the woody fabric of timbres away from the sugary addiction of high frequencies that satisfy like sugar and salt.
“I hope those of you who have been so loyal and supportive over the years along with any new listeners will enjoy.”
In 2019, Gibbons announced a new live record with composer Krzysztof Pendereck and the Polish National Radio Symphony.
Domino said of the project at the time: “Following an invitation to collaborate at the concert, Beth Gibbons undertook an intense preparation process, including tackling the challenge of learning the Polish original text (and the emotional weight it carries) without speaking the mother language.”
The live album was Gibbons’ first release since Portishead’s 2008 album, ‘Third’. In 2002 she released her solo debut ‘Out of Season’ with Talk Talk bassist Paul Webb under the name Rustin Man.
Back in August, Gibbons teamed up with Afghan girl band the Miraculous Love Kids to perform covers of Joy Division‘s ‘Atmosphere’ and David Bowie‘s ‘Heroes’.
On AHHCade, PNAU are leaning fully into emotion for their upcoming seventh studio album.
“There’s something deeply connected about music and the path we’ve been on,” PNAU’s Nick Littlemore shares while introducing the new project, which is scheduled to arrive July 31 through Sydney independent label etcetc, under the TMRW Music umbrella.
“We’re creating songs from the heart,” he says. “Even though these tracks are built with electronics and technology, at their core they are emotional expressions. Peter, myself and everyone we worked with wanted to create a feeling of home, whether that’s on the dancefloor or inside the listener’s mind.”
The upcoming record includes the recently unveiled “Tu Corazon (Your Heart)” featuring Mexican rock band The Warning, as well as the energetic new track “Nirvana” with EARTHGANG and sadMONTH, which officially dropped today, May 8.
“Nirvana” pairs PNAU with Atlanta duo EARTHGANG and also marks the first collaboration with sadMONTH, the new creative venture from Littlemore alongside Toronto artist Dom Dias.
Littlemore describes the song as “the beginning of an entirely new chapter. It’s intense, chaotic and taps into a future version of punk electronic music. Expect something restless, rhythmic and completely untamed.”
EARTHGANG added: “With ‘Nirvana,’ we locked into this euphoric and elevated energy together with PNAU and rode that electro wave. Huge love to everyone involved in bringing this track to life and making it hit the way it does.”
Representatives for the group have also hinted that additional unexpected collaborations will be revealed in the near future.
PNAU, made up of longtime friends Littlemore and Peter Mayes, are following up their 2024 release Sambanova. Over the years, the duo have built a career filled with major records and industry recognition. Their global breakthrough came after teaming up with Elton John for the 2012 remix album Good Morning to the Night, which reached No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. They later reunited with Elton for the 2021 remix Cold Heart featuring Dua Lipa, creating one of the biggest worldwide hits of the decade.
To celebrate the release of the new album, PNAU will launch the Australian run of their Nirvana Tour 2026 next month. The East Coast regional dates begin June 19 at Gilligan's in Cairns before finishing July 4 at Woodport Hotel in Erina.
Stream “Nirvana” below.
