A Certain Ratio

‘1982’ — OUT NOW

A CERTAIN RATIO – 1982

LATEST STUDIO ALBUM OUT NOW ON MUTE

ACR RECORD SHOP Q&As THIS WEEKEND

UK TOUR STARTS 20 APRIL WITH SOLD OUT SHOW

A Certain Ratio have released their eagerly anticipated new studio album, 1982, on vinyl, CD and digitally via Mute: https://mute.ffm.to/acr-1982 

“A Certain Ratio’s blend of knife-edge tension and funkateer abandon is a style that’s theirs and theirs only” – Uncut

“… this latest waxing points avowedly forward” – MOJO

“A Certain Ratio’s latest heads down a new trajectory, revamping their signature percussive style with glossy vocals and sharp production.” – The Guardian

“…a fireball of up-to-the minute energy” – Record Collector

The new album is home to recent singles ‘Holy Smoke’, ‘SAMO’ (currently on the BBC 6Music playlist), ‘Afro Dizzy’ (which spent four weeks on the BBC 6Music playlist) and ‘Waiting on a Train’, and ahead of its release, the band are set to celebrate the launch with a series of Q&As at independent record shops before embarking on a UK tour in April.

A CERTAIN RATIO DATES 

31 March – Manchester, Piccadilly – Q&A w/ Chris Hawkins (BBC 6Music) / signing

1 April – London, Rough Trade East – Q&A w/ John Kennedy (Radio X) / signing

2 April – Nottingham, Rough Trade – Q&A w/ Paul A Taylor (Mute) / signing

20 April – Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms SOLD OUT

21 April – Huddersfield, The Parish

22 April – Manchester, New Century Hall

23 April – Leeds, Brudenell

25 April – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

26 April – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds

27 April – Bristol, The Exchange

29 April – London, The Garage

A Certain Ratio’s greatest strength has always been their unpredictability – “That’s what people like about us, they don’t know what’s coming next!” explains Jez Kerr – and this new album has brought that in various ways, including the introduction of two new voices – the charismatic presence of Mancunian rapper Chunky (on ‘Waiting on a Train’) and one of Manchester’s fastest-rising neo-soul musicians Ellen Beth Abdi, you’ll recognise her from the ACR live line up in recent years, who has collaborated across the album and is already as central to the writing and recording process as the members who’ve been there since the 1970s. On the track ‘Constant Curve’, ACR find themselves collaborating once again with dance music producer, Emperor Machine, produce a track that can only be described as cosmic jazz punk. Martin says, “We have always been fans of Andy’s work so to write and collaborate on a song with him was amazing”

Since they emerged from the hallowed grounds of the late 70s punk scene, A Certain Ratio have moved with gleeful disregard for boundaries of style and genre, their eye fixed firmly on constant progression. It’s an ethos that’s open-minded over all else, and that’s seen them take everything from experimental electronica to vintage funk, filtered through their own Mancunian lens.

Even by the band’s own standards, however, their latest studio album 1982 is multidimensional. It shoots off in every direction, whether via searing Afrobeat, mind-melting jazz breakdowns or moody electronic experiments. Recorded by the core ACR line up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, alongside Tony Quigley, Matthew Steele and Ellen Beth Abdi, the band’s pleasure at being together in the studio is audible.

And the album title? Although 1982 might conjure memories of the year that saw ACR put out both the acclaimed Sextet and the cult favourite I’d Like To See You Again, it’s more of a playful red herring than an invitation to nostalgia.

Looking backwards and forwards all at once, drawing on influences from across every spectrum, 1982 is a record that will reward a dedicated listener dozens of times over.

Buy / listen to 1982: https://mute.ffm.to/acr-1982 

1982 TRACKLISTING
Samo
Waiting on a Train
1982
A Trip in Hulme
Constant Curve
Afro Dizzy
Holy Smoke
Tier 3
Ballad of ACR
Constant Curve

https://acrmcr.com