Reef have announced details of their new studio album ‘Revelation’, to be released May 4th on CD, LP, download & stream.
The album is the revitalized west-country quartet’s first studio album since 2000’s ‘Getaway’, their first with new guitarist Jesse Wood, and their first with new label earMUSIC, Europe’s premier rock label. The album was recorded in Ireland and has been produced by long-time collaborator George Drakoulias (The Black Crowes, Primal Scream, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers). The album features a guest vocal from Sheryl Crow on lead single ‘My Sweet Love’.
“We didn’t want to just make a good record, we wanted to make a great record,” says Reef vocalist Gary Stringer of ‘Revelation’. “We were writing the songs for two and a half years, road-testing them when we were on tour. We’d play four or five new songs every night, really watching the crowd. If their eyes glazed over or they went to the bar, then we dropped those songs! But if a song engaged with them – a melody they can hook into, a guitar riff – then that was a real pointer for how we went about it. Hopefully that’s helped make the album is as strong as it is.”
“Recording in Ireland was really special,” adds guitarist Jesse Wood. “It’s always been a magical place for me and we spent a few great weeks there with George. I already can’t wait to make the next album!”
“It’s a better world with Reef in it, their love for life and music is infectious,” says producer George Drakoulias. “A real privilege to be on this journey with them.”
In 2016, Reef returned with their first single since 2003, ‘How I Got Over’, which was A-Listed at Radio 2 and saw the band perform live on Chris Evans’ radio show and on The One Show on BBC1. Reef were personally invited by Chris Martin to support Coldplay at Wembley Stadium, and also released their live album ‘Reef: Live At St Ives’, recorded over two sold-out nights at St Ives Guildhall.
Reef formed in 1993 and were quickly signed to Sony imprint S2. They released nine Top 40 singles – most famously ‘Place Your Hands’ – and four studio albums, including 1996’s platinum-selling No.1 album ‘Glow’, plus greatest hits album ‘Together’ before disbanding in 2003. Their hiatus came to an end in 2010, when they were tempted into reuniting for a short tour. In 2014 Jesse Wood, formerly of the Ronnie Wood band/Faces/Red Racer, replaced original guitarist Kenwyn House after he amicably left the band to pursue other projects.
Reef will be on tour throughout April and May, including the Britrock Must Be Destroyed! Tour with The Wildhearts and Terrorvision with includes a show at London’s Eventim Apollo on May 6th. Full details below.
Reef: Gary Stringer (vocals), Jack Bessant (bass), Jesse Wood (lead guitar), Dominic Greensmith (drums)
Reef headline dates
April 26 The Engine Shed, Lincoln
April 27 The Welly, Hull
April 28 Arts Club, Liverpool
May 10 Sub89, Reading
May 11 Concorde 2, Brighton
May 12 Waterfront, Norwich
May 18 Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh