Rick Astley’s soulful and soaring ninth studio album Are We There Yet? will be released October 6 on BMG. Inspired partly by his love for icons of the 1960s including Bill Withers, Al Green and Marvin Gaye, and his time spent traveling through America’s heartland, Are We There Yet? finds the pop music icon continuing a remarkable career resurgence that began with 2016’s UK chart-topping 50, released after a ten year break from performing and recording.
Rick has also shared a new single, “Never Gonna Stop,” a towering R&B ballad that explores his belief that a personal human connection is the one thing that can counteract the madness that permeates the world.
While Rick started working on Are We There Yet? during lockdown in 2020, sparks of inspiration came from a 2022 summer stadium tour across North America with New Kids On The Block, Salt ‘N’ Pepa and En Vogue. Crossing the country by bus, Rick would often gaze at the seemingly infinite roads ahead of him and think, “Are We There Yet?.” He muses, “Now, that phrase has multiple meanings. Are we there yet in my musical ambitions? Am I done with my career? Have we arrived? Or are we still traveling?”
Rick’s time spent in America’s heartland and his lifelong love of American soul music is particularly prominent on “Dippin My Feet,” which puts an invigorating Stax Records twist on Rick’s signature style. He adds, “It’s not Americana, but the tag-line at the start of the chorus is: ‘Dipping my feet in the Mississippi River…’ It’s definitely not country, but I’ve never twanged a guitar as much as I have in the past couple of months. And there’s a bit more emotion with those guitar parts. I just think spending five months in America has re-tuned my ear a little bit.”
As with 2016’s 50 and 2018’s Beautiful Life, the album was entirely written, recorded and produced by Rick at his home studio in South-west London. He performed almost everything himself, except for the brass, keyboards and some backing vocals. Are We There Yet? shows that Rick is still pushing to reach even greater musical heights, in the process guaranteeing entertainment and joy on record, on stream, on radio and on stage.
Are We There Yet? opens a new road for Rick Astley some 36 years since he first shot to fame. The endearingly boyish 57-year-old is still winning over new fans, whether he’s performing with Foo Fighters, Take That or Blossoms; becoming an unlikely social media sensation; or embracing the unending love that greets his era-defining smash “Never Gonna Give You Up,” which was boosted by its use in key scene in the second season of Ted Lasso.
Rick has also had a remarkable summer. His Glastonbury Festival performances in June made him the talk of the UK. Two sets in one day included a triumphant performance of ‘80s classics and classy covers, and then a show with UK band Blossoms to perform a life-affirming set of classic songs by The Smiths. Said Clash Magazine: “Arise Rick Astley, the newly crowned King of Glastonbury Festival. Pop’s all-round gentleman proved to be one of the major highlights of Worthy Farm.”
Rick will also perform a number of all UK shows including two sold out night’s at London’s Royal Albert Hall plus a 20,000 capacity homecoming show in Manchester next March at AO Arena. See below for full itinerary.
Are We There Yet? is available to pre-order or pre-save HERE. A range of album bundles offer a variety of options including limited edition physical formats in the shape of picture discs and clear vinyl, a deluxe CD and a pink cassette. The range is completed by a regular CD, signed postcards and a new t-shirt design. He has just launched a striking new version of the album via bespoke vinyl specialsts Blood Records. Pressed on turquoise and red splatter effect LP, this limited edition release features an exclusive sleeve design and is hand-numbered to order.
2023
Sunday 29 October Sheffield, Leadmill (JUST ADDED)
Monday 30 October Kingston, Przym (JUST ADDED)
Wednesday 01 November London, Royal Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
Thursday 02 November London, Royal Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
2024
Thursday 22 February Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
Friday 23 February Newcastle, Utilita Arena
Saturday 24 February Leeds, First Direct Arena
Monday 26 February Cardiff, International Arena (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday 27 February Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Thursday 29 February Bournemouth, International Centre (SOLD OUT)
Friday 01 March Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
Saturday 02 March Manchester, AO Arena
Monday 04 March Belfast, The SSE Arena
Tuesday 05 March Dublin, 3Arena
The tour features an array of special guests: Belinda Carlisle and The Lottery Winners (both at all shows except for London, Belfast and Dublin); The Feeling (London only) and Scouting For Girls (Belfast and Dublin only).
