Getting decisive with first album in 16 years
The Zutons were among the biggest names of the noughties – with a trio of best-selling albums and nine top 40 singles, including You Will You Won't, Why Won't You Give Me Your Love? and the indelible Valerie.
But the band quietly split in 2009 without ever making any official announcement.
Since 2016 they’ve played occasional shows, but now they are gearing up to release The Big Decider – their first album in 16 years.
The album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with legendary songwriter and producer Nile Rodgers, alongside the band's original producer Ian Broudie and is due out on April 26.
With the band now comprising of original members Dave McCabe (guitar, lead vocals), Abi Harding (saxophone, vocals) and Sean Payne (drums, vocals), it is born under the weight of family tragedies, lives lost and created, reality checks, and home truths faced up to and stared down.
Curiously, the pandemic seemingly fast-tracked the process of the band’s next phase. As McCabe characterises that time, shortly before he went into rehab: “We were all living together in our own little bubble, plenty of booze and mushrooms and a lot of bonding! It was necessary.”
It was McCabe’s subsequent time in rehab that truly sparked a turning point in the positivity of the new album.
Harding says: “Dave has been through an awful lot in the last few years, and these things have obviously really impacted him. But his songwriting has only got better. Now he spends more time on his songs.
“He’s in touch with his own and others’ emotions, and that all goes into the songs. It has been so nice to watch him grow. I’m so proud of him.”
Talking about the new album, McCabe says: “Working with Nile was just an amazing experience, he gave me a confidence that I’ve never felt before making a record. He’s very laidback as a person and a good listener. He’s just one of the coolest people I’ve ever met.”
They play Engine Rooms, Southampton, on April 21. Go to engineroomssouthampton.co.uk.