Midge Ure has announced ‘A Man Of Two Worlds’, his first album of new material since 2014’s ‘Fragile’. Due May 8 on Chrysalis Records, the album arrives after years of relentless touring that kept him away from the studio, and the wait has produced something genuinely distinctive. This is not a record that sounds rushed or obligatory. It sounds considered, patient, and deeply felt.
The album divides into two clear halves. World One: Music delivers eight instrumental pieces, while World Two: Songs presents eight vocal tracks. The concept grew out of the stillness of lockdown, during which Ure immersed himself in instrumental music and drew inspiration from his time presenting THE SPACE on Scala Radio in the UK. Those listening sessions sparked a desire to let melody carry the weight without lyrics to guide it. The instrumentals that resulted are shaped by reflection, uncertainty, and a rare kind of quiet.
The vocal half emerged as the world reopened, and it arrived into a harder, more divided landscape. These eight songs are sparse and meditative, built around the frailty of the human condition and Ure’s genuine concern for the discord infecting global life. They share an atmosphere with the instrumentals while carrying an urgency the instrumental pieces deliberately avoid.
Lead track “Just Words” takes direct aim at those in power who lie and deny in plain sight. “The Man Who Stole Your Soul” laments the current state of the United States. “Shouting At The Moon” speaks to the power of unity. “Caught In The Middle” examines human fallibility, while “Ordinary Man (Precious Moments)” reflects on time and mortality. The most tender moment is “The Pictures You Carry With You,” built from a melody Ure originally sang to his daughters as babies.
“Almost every album I’ve made over the past 40+ years has featured at least one instrumental track,” Ure says. “For this album I wanted to explore this further, showing two sides of what I do.” The ‘A Man Of Two Worlds’ Tour reflects that philosophy, placing instrumentals alongside songs, album tracks, and fan favourites to take audiences on a complete journey through his work.
Ure will tour the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand in support of the album, with North American dates to be announced.