Paul Heaton has announced his return with new album ‘Jenius’ set for release on 21st August 2026.
Produced by Lightning Seeds‘ Ian Broudie and recorded at Blueprint Studios in Manchester, the album features 15 new original songs.
They are performed by Paul and his band, along with regular live vocalist, Rianne Downey.
One of those new tracks is ‘Favourite Kind Of Idiot’, which is out now!
Paul commented on the new single: “It’s a love story between two people who see the same fallibilities, the same daftness, in each other, and instead of moaning – “God, it’s taken you two hours to change that light bulb!” – they see it’s what brings them together.
“I point out the niceness in not getting things right and not being perfect, especially with “You ain’t no beaut/ But I don’t date you for the view…”
“It’s a song in favour of the idiotic people and how charming they can be, in a similar vein to Chip Taylor’s ‘F**k All The Perfect People’. Even though it’s a bit silly, I think it’s probably the most romantic song on the album.”
Paul Heaton has also announced a UK tour for October and November.
It includes shows at Manchester Co-op Live, Leeds First Direct Arena, Glasgow OVO Hydro, Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, and Sheffield Arena.
Along with the new material, Paul will perform songs from throughout his career, including classic tracks by The Beautiful South and The Housemartins.
Special guests on all dates will fittingly be Lightning Seeds.
All tickets are priced at an affordable £39.50 (plus ticket fees) and are on sale from Friday 5th June at 9:30am from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.gigsandtours.com.
The full list of dates is as follows…
OCTOBER
Thurs 29 NEWCASTLE Utilita Arena
Fri 30 GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Sat 31 LEEDS First Direct Bank Arena
NOVEMBER TOUR DATES
Mon 02 CARDIFF Utilita Arena
Tues 03 PLYMOUTH Arena
Fri 06 SHEFFIELD Utilita Arena
Sat 07 LONDON The O2
Tues 10 NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena
Wed 11 LIVERPOOL M&S Bank Arena
Fri 13 BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Sat 14 MANCHESTER Co-op Live
‘Jenius’ will be available on 21st August on all digital platforms, vinyl, CD, and cassette.
PRE-ORDER HERE: https://PaulHeaton.lnk.to/Jenius
Main Photo Credit: Gus Gregory
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