Ash have just announced the reissue of their epic second album, Nu-Clear Sounds, remastered and reissued for the first time since 1998. Drummer Rick McMurray said “We’re absolutely buzzing to announce we will be re-releasing our Heart of Darkness in the shape of the splatter vinyl edition of our second album, Nu-Clear Sounds.” Fans will, no doubt, be buzzing at the news too. Some of the best moments from their recent live shows have come from tracks from this seminal album such as hit singles‘Wildsurf’ and ‘Numbskull.’ The album will be available on limited edition Clear and Nu-Clear green splatter colour vinyl from 24th February.
The live performances of ‘Numbskull’ in 2022’s tour still sounded as vital, heavy and euphoric as ever, while live favourite ‘Wildsurf ‘ brought dark harmonic sunshine from the same Nu -Clear Sounds album. Singles “Jesus Says”, “Wildsurf” and ‘Numbskull all reached the Irish top 10 while the first two charted in the UK top 20 and was certified gold by the BPI.
Ash’s number one debut album ‘1977,’ was named by NME as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time, after which the band released Nu -Clear Sounds, showcasing a darker but no less melodic side to their writing, and perhaps, reflecting the heavier roots that Wheeler and Hamilton were inspired by in their original cover band, Vietnam. With influences such as New York Dolls, Velvet Underground and the Rolling Stones‘ Sticky Fingers era, Nu-Clear Sounds saw them firmly break free from pigeonholing. Vocalist Wheeler said that they wanted to make “a more abrasive record” but “be as successful as before and keep it going.” The tracks on Nu-Clear Sounds explores the loss of innocence and drink and drug misuse. Nu-Clear Sounds captured the frustrations of the time with stark sincerity, joining grunge, rock and gloomier balladeering with slanted harmonies. ‘It would be the first of three albums released with guitarist Charlotte Hatherley as a full time member.
Charlotte was a highly skilled edition to their their 2022 tour and it is great to hear their collective skilful sound immortalized in this Nu-Clear Sounds reissue. It will be available on limited edition Clear and Nu-Clear green splatter colour vinyl from 24th February.
Pre-order the Nu-Clear sounds reissue here.
Ash | Nu-Clear Sounds tracklist:
Side A:
1. Projects (2023 Remaster)
2. Low Ebb (2023 Remaster)
3. Jesus Says (2023 Remaster)
4. Wildsurf (2023 Remaster)
5. Death Trip 21 (2023 Remaster)
Side B:
1. Folk Song (2023 Remaster)
2. Numbskull (2023 Remaster)
3. Burnt Out (2023 Remaster)
4. Aphrodite (2023 Remaster)
5. Fortune Teller (2023 Remaster)
6. I’m Gonna Fall (2023 Remaster)
Ash: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Ash | Photo credit: Grant Fear
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