The Who announce new album WHO set for release on November 22, confirm 2020 UK arena tour

The rock legends are back with their 12th studio album.
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Rock legends The Who have announced their first studio album in 13 years.

WHO will be released on Friday November 22, available on CD, vinyl, digital and cassette formats. Lead single from the album Ball and Chain is out now.

The iconic group's 12th studio album was co-produced by Roger Daltrey and D. Sardy, best known for his work Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Royal Blood, Gorillaz and Oasis.

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“I think we’ve made our best album since Quadrophenia in 1973," said Roger. "Pete hasn’t lost it, he’s still a fabulous songwriter, and he’s still got that cutting edge."

Topics written about by Pete Townshend on the record include reincarnation, musical theft and also the Grenfell Tower fire. He recalls: "Roger and I are both old men now, by any measure, so I’ve tried to stay away from romance, but also from nostalgia if I can. I didn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Memories are OK, and some of the songs refer to the explosive state of things today."

Roger Daltrey had previously said that the album will include "dark ballads, heavy rock stuff, experimental electronica, sampled stuff and Who-ish tunes that began with a guitar that goes yanga-dang".

After headlining Wembley Stadium this past July where Ball and Chain and Hero Ground Zero made their live debut, The Who have announced their next live shows: a 10-date UK arena tour across March and April 2020 with full orchestra. Tickets go on sale next Friday at 10am.

WHO tracklisting

All This Music Must Fade
Ball And Chain
I Don't Wanna Get Wise
Detour
Beads On One String
Hero Ground Zero
Street Song
I’ll Be Back
Break The News
Rockin’ In Rage
She Rocked My World

The Who's 2020 UK tour dates

March 16 – Manchester Arena
March 18 – Dublin 3 Arena
March 21 – Newcastle Utilita Arena
March 23 – Glasgow SSE Hydro Arena
March 25 – Leeds First Direct Arena
March 30 – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
April 1 – Birmingham Resorts World Arena
April 3 – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
April 6 – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
April 8 – SSE Wembley Arena

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