Shaun Ryder says the new Happy Mondays album is finally taking shape, revealing he’s already written and recorded six tracks and is heading back into the studio to finish the rest.
The 63-year-old frontman of the Madchester group has been juggling projects, breaking off sessions to tour with Black Grape before returning to focus on the Mondays’ first full album of original material in almost two decades.
He told ContactMusic.com of the progress made on the follow-up to 2007’s Uncle Dysfunktional: “I was back in the studio recording new Mondays stuff and then I broke off to do The Black Grape tour.
“Now I’m back in the studio, carrying on making the new Mondays album. Up to now, I think I’ve got about six tracks, so I need another six.”
Shaun says he’s currently working alone with producers, with the rest of the band yet to join the process.
He explained: “The other members haven’t done anything yet. I’m just with the producers, but yeah, we’ve got six new tracks.”
He’s building the record the same way the band approached their 1990 classic Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches: “Get some beats up and then add basslines and guitars late when we’ve got the beats and I’ve written the lyrics.”
Shaun is collaborating with Sheffield producer Richard Barratt, known for his work with electronic group All Seeing I and the Tony Christie single Walk Like a Panther.
As for the lyrics, he says nothing has changed about his approach.
He said: “Same old bull**** Same old b*******. My sort of songwriting is that I write cartoon, black comedy f****** songs, stories.”
Growing up on the Beatles’ more surreal moments — I Am the Walrus, Bungalow Bill, Octopus’s Garden — still shapes the way he writes.
He said: “I take a few things from the news, mix it in with a bit of real life and then add all sorts of cartoon bull****.”
Politics is also creeping into the new material.
Asked whether current events are influencing his writing, Shaun doesn’t hold back, taking aim at US President Donald Trump and describing him in typically blunt terms.
He responded: Yeah, that f****** orange w***** [Trump]. It’s certainly influenced by him. I hate him. He’s a ****!”
He also touches on British politics, saying he’s “born Labour” even if he jokes about the tax bill: “I just can’t bring myself to be a Tory.”
Shaun expects the album to be finished well before summer, but the release date will be decided by longtime manager Alan McGee. “
He said: “Hopefully that should be out either towards the end of the year or 2027 — whenever Alan thinks is the best time to release it.”
The Happy Mondays kick off their UK tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches in Newcastle on March 13, running through to Belfast on April 24. The run of shows includes dates along the way at The Roundhouse in London (March 27) and a hometown show at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse (April 11).
For more information and tickets, head to www.alttickets.com and www.happymondaysofficial.co.uk.