The Charlatans UK mark a powerful return today with news of their 14th studio album, We Are Love, set for release on Friday, October 31 via BMG. The announcement comes alongside the debut of its euphoric title track, unveiled live during a landmark hometown show at Castlefield Bowl earlier this month.
“We Are Love” is more than just a single—it’s a mission statement. Frontman Tim Burgess calls it “like an open-top car ride in the credits of your favorite movie, driving along the coast to somewhere amazing.” Driven by pulsing drums and soaring guitars, the song became a cornerstone of the album early in the writing process. Guitarist Mark Collins explains, “There was a certain energy to it that drove us forward.”
It’s been eight years since their last full-length release—an unusually long pause for a band whose legacy includes three UK Number One albums and anthems like “The Only One I Know” and “North Country Boy.” Life, solo projects, and distance (with members now spread across Europe) all played a role in the wait. But the delay brought clarity, leading to a creative dream team that includes producers Dev Hynes, Fred Macpherson, and the legendary Stephen Street.
Recorded at the iconic Rockfield Studios in Wales and their own Big Mushroom studio in Cheshire, the album carries deep emotional resonance. Returning to Rockfield for the first time since the tragic loss of original keyboardist Rob Collins during sessions for Tellin’ Stories, the band explored themes of memory and legacy. “We’re honouring ourselves, our past,” says Burgess, “feeling that energy and reincarnating it, doing something fresh, brand new.”
Across its 11 tracks, We Are Love celebrates the enduring bond between five musicians—Burgess, Martin Blunt, Mark Collins, Tony Rogers, and Pete Salisbury—who remain united by music, friendship, and love.
To coincide with the album’s release, The Charlatans UK will embark on a headline UK tour this December, with shows in Leeds, Stoke, Bath, London, Manchester, and Glasgow. A band reborn, We Are Love is both a tribute to their past and a thrilling glimpse of what’s next.
THE CHARLATANS – TOUR 2025 – DECEMBER
6 – Leeds, O2 Academy
7 – Stoke, Victoria Hall
8 – Bath, Forum
10 – London, Roundhouse
11 – Manchester, Academy
12 – Glasgow, Barrowland
