Gavin Friday Returns with First New Solo Album in 13 Years: 'Ecce Homo'

Irish renaissance man Gavin Friday is set to release his highly anticipated new solo album, 'Ecce Homo', on October 25th via BMG. This marks his first album release since 2011's "Catholic".

Album Details and Lead Single

The new album, produced by Soft Cell's Dave Ball and Michael Heffernan, is announced alongside its title track. An eponymous digital EP featuring two remixes and an instrumental version of the track is also available now.

The lead single, "Ecce Homo", is described as "a pulsing, pulverizing menace" with "streaks of florid noise and walls of hard-edged rhythms". Friday comments on the track: "The track 'Ecce Homo' is my own personal kick in the head and kiss on the cheek to a world gone very wrong."

A video for "Ecce Homo", produced entirely in AI by studio284 / Petros Tryfon, has been released alongside the announcement.

Gavin Friday's Illustrious Career

Gavin Friday, best known as the founding frontman of cult Irish post-punk outfit Virgin Prunes, has had a diverse career spanning four decades. His work includes:

Collaborations with U2, Colin Newman, Laurie Anderson, Sinead O'Connor, Scott Walker, The Fall, Quincy Jones, and many more.
Scoring music for Academy Award-nominated films such as "In The Name of The Father" and "In America", earning Ivor Novello and Golden Globe nominations.
Visual art exhibitions and performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Recent work includes scoring and narrating the animated film "Peter And The Wolf".

Album Creation and Themes

'Ecce Homo' began over a decade ago with a surprise email from Dave Ball. The album features thundering electronics reminiscent of Virgin Prunes' power and exquisite acoustics reflecting Friday's recent solo work and soundtracks.

The album is described as "an ecstatic and unbound expression of anger and independence". It includes love songs, fight songs, reflections on loss, and anthems for solidarity. Friday considers it his most honest and riveting album to date.

The album's creation was influenced by personal experiences, including caring for his ailing mother and the loss of close collaborator Hal Willner. The COVID-19 pandemic also delayed the album's completion by two years.