Legends of rock, UK multi-platinum selling band, The Darkness – singer/guitarist Justin Hawkins, guitarist Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain, drummer Rufus Taylor - have returned to bedazzle and amaze once more as they serve up their eighth studio album, Dreams On Toast, out on March 28 via Cooking Vinyl. Pre-order the album here.
A lavish display of sonic delicacies, Dreams On Toast is a dynamic dish packed full of sure-to-be hits. This is no better demonstrated than with lead single, ”The Longest Kiss” out now. The song is an upbeat classic that tips its hat to the ’70s pop genius of both Queen and Paul McCartney, and it finds The Darkness dance across jaunty piano keys and frolicking guitar licks in irresistible top form. Watch a visualizer below.
Frontman Justin Hawkins shares, “You know that thing when God’s breath tickles your soul and tells you to create? Yeah, makes me giggle too. But you can’t resist. God might not be the power she once was, but say what you like about her, she knows damn well that what the world needs now, is rock sweet rock. And who are we, mere mortals of extraordinary ability, to argue with the divine? So we knuckled down and thought really hard about the best of the best, the elite songs, the life-changing music of the ages. Then we popped out a dozen bangers before lunch. And these bangers we present to you here, wallowing in an aromatic aural ragu, served atop the charred remains of our envious contemporaries…ladies and gentlemen, I give you Dreams On Toast!”
Justin continues, “Misty Orchards! That’s not my porn name, that’s the kind of scenery that I love. I awakened to such a vista in the delightful Scottish highland town of Nairn on the morning that inspiration for 'The Longest Kiss' lyric struck. I was bleary eyed and locked in an unending embrace with my (mid)life partner. Weird that I can still sing, but that’s a testament to the resilience of humans, especially lead singers. The music itself is a piano-led composition, the chorus of which my brother and I came up with after he’d taken a long time to empty his bladder during some impressive pub endurance. The verses were transposed from a song I’ve been working on for decades as part of a musical about the collapse of the Lowestoft fishing industry, called “The Collapse Of The Lowestoft Fishing Industry.” The musical isn’t finished yet. But 'The Longest Kiss' is. The results are astounding. We’re all very proud of this. Please, do enjoy!”
Not only does Dreams On Toast promise to arguably be one of their best collection of songs yet, but The Darkness will also be hitting the road next year. The Dreams On Toast headlining world tour kicks off in the UK in March seeing the band play 17 shows across the country finishing at London’s OVO Wembley Arena on March 29th. North American tour dates will be announced soon.
More than 20 years after The Darkness exploded with their debut album that changed the face of rock music, their cheeky, spandex-clad anthems continue to capture hearts and a new generation of enthusiasts. None more so than Taylor Swift who sparked an internet meltdown via the viral video of her and boyfriend Travis Kelce singing along with The Darkness’ eternal mega-hit “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” at the US Open Tennis Championships finals. As a result, Taylor’s legions of fans sent the track hurtling up charts across the world, including reaching No. 1 on the US iTunes Rock Chart, 21 years after the song’s release.
And now with Dreams On Toast The Darkness deliver another triumphant collection of solid gold rock bangers and heart exploding concerts in 2025.
(Photo - Simon Emmett; Dreams On Toast album artwork designed by Grammy-nominated artist Perry Shall)
