RAZORLIGHT
SHARE SINGLE ‘CALL ME JUNIOR’
LISTEN HERE / WATCH MUSIC VIDEO
SUMMER OF FESTIVALS INCLUDE:
NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER, STANDON CALLING, SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS, CAMP BESTIVAL + MORE
Pioneering British rock band Razorlight are back in 2022 with new single ‘Call Me Junior ’, out now via Atlantic Culture Records/Absolute.
The exhilarating single marks the first release since the reunion of the bands classic line-up of Johnny Borrell, Andy Burrows, Björn Ågren, and Carl Dalemo, following a 10-year hiatus. The tracks marks the return to writing collaborations between Johnny and Andy after a decade of estrangement and sets up an exciting year for Razorlight, as they gear up for more music and prepare to embark on a summer of festivals – Neighbourhood Weekender, Standon Calling, Splendour In The Grass, Camp Bestival.
Produced by Johnny Borrell, ‘Call Me Junior’ is a slice of classic rock’n’roll and was recorded straight to tape, re-affirming the band’s love of non-digital recording. The song was written amidst the pandemic restrictions and came out of a Skype writing session between Johnny and Andy.
Johnny comments: “I had dreamt something, and Andy sent me a very rough voice note. I fused the 2 ideas together and we kind of had a song.”
He continues: “It’s a funny thing rediscovering Razorlight; normally when writing, you find yourself thinking ‘this sounds kinda Bowie-ish or Stones-ish or Prince-ish etc – that’s cool lets do that’, but with getting back into an old writing partnership you start going ‘Oh that sounds really Razorlight-ish, cool lets do that.’ It’s great to be recording again, great to be producing and great to have the band back together. It’s a unique sound these 4 people make.”
Andy Burrows adds: “I rang Johnny, played some chords and a bit of melody that I had, down the phone, the next day I walked into the studio, and he was sat at the piano playing this finished song…as soon as we played it together with the band, it clicked. An instant rocker, like an old friend. We wanted to put something out ourselves, before we play live shows this summer, and this seemed like the perfect fit.”
Since forming the band in 2002, Razorlight have achieved worldwide success and have cemented their place as one of Britain’s Classic Rock bands. Their vertiginous rise saw them tour their way from squat parties in London’s East End to the 2005 global TV charity event Live 8, where they established themselves at the urchin rock’n’roll challengers most likely to go stadium.
Razorlight was formed by lead singer and guitarist, Johnny Borrell in East London, 2002. Joining him as founding members were Björn Ågren, Carl Dalemo. Andy Burrows took over drums in 2004. By the mid 2000s they were at the epicentre of the UK’s gangly guitar band resurgence channelling the leftfield influences of Television, Patti Smith and the Velvet Underground into the pop mainstream, and commandeering media attention in fractious alliance with The Libertines and Amy Winehouse. Their debut album ‘Up All Night ’ in 2004 peaked at number 3 in the UK Album’s chart, followed by the 2006 number 1 album ‘Razorlight’ and its mega-hit ‘America’.
The history of Razorlight is rich in iconic moments. They have been photographed by Mick Rock and David Bailey and dueted with rock legend, Roger Daltrey, actress Jane Birkin and The Kinks’ Ray Davies. They performed with Sir George Martin and were the first band to record at Mark Knopfler’s famous British Grove Studios where they worked with legendary producer Chris Thomas on their second album. The band were invited to write the music for one of Hedi Slimane’s most memorable fashion shows, based on their look. The likes of Award-winning actor, Guy Pearce and household comedian, Noel Fielding have made appearances in their music videos as well as Oscar-nominated Stephen Frears directing their music video for ‘Wire To Wire’. They campaigned and played shows for Friends Of The Earth and Nelson Mandela’s AIDs charity, turned in a show-stopping performance at Live 8 and headlined Reading Festival.
2022 FESTIVAL DATES – TICKETS HERE
May 29 – Neighbourhood Weekender Festival, Warrington
Jun 03 – Wild Roots Festival, Sligo Ireland
Jul 08 – Rock Zottegem Festival, Belgium
Jul 21 – Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin
Jul 23 – Standon Calling Festival, Hertfordshire
Jul 24 – Splendour In The Grass Festival, Nottingham
July 29 – Camp Bestival, Dorset
Jul 31 – Over The Bridge Festival, Edinburgh