JOHNNY LLOYD – Releases “Manchester In Bloom” Single

Fusing misty-eyed lyricism with loungy, spacious arrangements, and the louchest sax solo to be heard since ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Manchester In Bloom’ feels like the fruit of a mythical session between Alex Turner and George Michael on a meet-up at Strawberry Studios.

As elegant as the cherry blossom trees that line St Peter’s Square, the new single finds Johnny reflecting on the seasonal, temporal nature of the delicate relationships we form. As Johnny says:

“Manchester in Bloom is a song about beginnings and ends in a relationship. It’s about trying to hold onto things that are slipping away.”

A sultry, simmering new release, it follows fellow recent solo single, ‘If You Love Them, Let Them Go’; with both tracks due to feature on his fourth solo album ‘Punchline’ (out 31st January 2025). Produced by musician and producer Max Clilverd (who has previously worked with Tom Odell, Holly Humberstone and earlier Johnny Lloyd albums), it’s a record that places Lloyd’s songwriting talents under the warmth of the spotlight; its pared-back arrangements illuminating songs rich in eternal themes of love, loss and letting go.

Of the upcoming album, Johnny states:

“If there was one album I’ve made to showcase my music I would want it to be this one. I started writing the album at the end of 2022 when the world was still transitioning out of the pandemic and I feel like that feeling is present in the music. I pushed as hard as I could creatively to go places I haven’t previously been… I am very grateful for the amazing musicians who played on this album and to Max Clilverd for bringing it together.”

Poignant and personal in its subject matter, laidback and lush in atmosphere; the upcoming album from the singer, songwriter and composer promises to be a career affirming collection of songs. Due for release on 31st January 2025 (via the Xtra Mile Recordings label), the new album emerges following a prolific period of songwriting for TV and film (where he won the RTS Best Original Music Award for ‘I Hate Suzie’) as well as a new album and tour with his band Tribes.

Following recent support shows with Everyone Says Hi – (featuring members from Kaiser Chiefs, Kooks, Dead 60s and Howling Bells), Johnny Lloyd will be heading out on a brand new solo headline tour in 2025. Catch Johnny at these dates as follows:

JOHNNY LLOYD – UK HEADLINE TOUR 2025

30th Jan – Gosport, Slice Of Vinyl – instore 7pm

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Since bursting onto the scene in 2010 as frontman of indie-rock outfit Tribes, Johnny Lloyd has gone on to establish himself as a prolific solo artist and esteemed film composer. Alongside his solo studio output (‘Next Episode Starts in 15 Seconds’, ‘Cheap Medication’, plus a pair of rarities collections entitled ‘Low Fidelity’ Volumes 1 & 2 ), Johnny has also contributed music for numerous TV & Film productions including ‘Frank of Ireland’, ‘Sex Education’, ‘Legacy of Lies’, ‘After Life’, plus the Sky Atlantic series ‘I Hate Suzie’ which he went on to win a Royal Television Award for ‘Best Original Music’ for in 2023. In 2021, he released the official motion picture soundtrack for Billie Piper’s critically acclaimed ‘Rare Beasts’ film, while also finding time to release his third official solo album: ‘La La La’. Since then, Lloyd reactivated Tribes for a series of huge UK shows, including an appearance at the Kentish Town O2 Forum, plus comeback album ‘Rabbit Head’.

PRE-ORDER ‘PUNCHLINE’ HERE