Ahead of its release on the marvellous Super Fan 99 label, we are streaming the new LP by London songwriter Uncle Luc. It is a record steeped in alt-classicism and one to enjoy.

The album can be pre-ordered here

There's a full track by track guide below.

Track by Track Guide.

Plateaux

Like a lot of artists my default is writing sad songs as they come more naturally so I set out to write something that was really upbeat for a change. We looked at some of the hooks and productions of old pub rock records by the likes of Rockpile or The Attractions where they have that huge punch from acoustic guitars rather than electrics. We had fun playing beer bottles with pencils on the breakdown. It opens with a chorus which not enough people do these days.

Ice Cream

This is another song which owes a debt to the power pop and pub rock sounds of the late 70s. The lead slide guitar parts are very George Harrison of course and it has a wonderful wild, fuzzy solo played by the producer Henri. This song was recorded a couple of years ago but I really wanted to still include it on the album.

Bones of the Days

This song features BJ Cole on pedal steel which was a real honour. He's played with everyone from Elton John to Bjork and adds a magic and depth to this song. It was an attempt at a straight up country tune. I'd been listening to a lot of Sam Outlaw the month I wrote it.

No Magic

This song originally had the drum machine on it as a rough with a plan to replace it with real drums but we became fond of it. That then became a theme for drums across the record with similar 808 sounds on Sophie and Hollywood Gum. I love the backwards guitar parts that pan from left to right, it feels very 3D with headphones on. The production on this one is very spacious hopefully letting the lyrics and melodies breathe.

Sophie

This was a collaboration with a French producer who I briefly met in Paris ten years earlier. He moved to London and contacted me out of the blue as didn't know many people. We got on well and decided to try writing a track together. I was pleased with my disco/house guitar parts on this one and love Thierry's (Kostral One) spoken sections. It doesn't feel like any song I've written before. I think our love for 80s synth pop and French house shines through.

Owner of the Loneliest Song

I wrote this song just after releasing my first album. It was only ever recorded as a live performance back then but I felt it was a good song so took this opportunity to explore it more with a full production. I love the baritone guitar which hints at country. Myself and Henri recorded acoustics live in tandem which gives it a real rich sound. It's about how everyone has that one friend who won't let their dream die of becoming a successful artist.

Hollywood Gum

The title comes from the French chewing gum brand. When we were kids if any of our friends went to France they'd always bring it back, the logo on the packet was the Hollywood hills sign. The song is about the worlds perception of Hollywood versus it's reality. As a kid you think it must be this amazing place and then you go there and it's not so fancy or exciting as you are led to believe from the movies. It was never a place I thought I'd visit until my family moved to LA a few years back.

6 Star Hotel

This was a really short demo track that always felt like an album closer. I originally had it in mind as being a solo piano piece but played it on an old Spanish guitar which sounded neat, we later added a Wurlitzer and that's about it. It's very simple song and wasn't at all over thought. I think I wrote it in a about ten minutes in my kitchen one evening. It's about being grateful for what you do have and not what you don't. In my head it was supposed to be a Jackson Browne type of tune, I guess it just sounds like me though.

Exclusive Album Stream - Uncle Luc