Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds announce new album ‘Council Skies’ - new single ‘Easy Now’ out now

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have announced that a new album is on the way. ‘Council Skies’ will be released in full in the summer.

To help keep fans satisfied, they have also released a single from the album titled ‘Easy Now’. This can be listened to and downloaded now.

Produced by Sour Mash Records, ‘Council Skies’ will be the band’s fourth studio album in 12 years and will be released on June 2. Noel Gallagher formed the band in the years following the break-up of iconic BritPop band Oasis.

Featuring one of the world’s breakthrough new talents and Critics Choice Award nominated Milly Alcock, who recently starred as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in the HBO smash hit series and Golden Globe winning House of the Dragon plus a cameo from Noel himself, the new music video sees the protagonist bursting with emotion as ‘Easy Now’s transcendent power takes over. ‘Easy Now’ was directed by multiple UK Music Video Awards winner, Colin Solal Cardo. You can watch the video Watch here.

‘Council Skies’ was recorded at Noel’s own Lone Star Sound Recording Studios in London, with the album’s lusciously orchestrated strings recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Produced by Noel with long-time collaborator Paul ‘Strangeboy’ Stacey, the album also features performances from Johnny Marr on three tracks, including recent single ‘Pretty Boy’. ‘Council Skies’ takes its title from a book by revered northern illustrator and friend of Noel, artist Pete McKee. It covers themes of youthful yearning, and unbridled ambition.

Speaking of the album, Noel says: “It’s going back to the beginning. 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,” he says. “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.”

The artwork for the new album, 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’.

Homecoming show

Tickets for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds homecoming show in Wythenshawe Park in Manchester are still available through Ticktemaster. The gig is on Saturday August 26 and tickets start at £60 each.

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