Ahead of the release of his sixth album, What Still Survives (October 30th via Navigator Records), Blair Dunlop has shared a live video performance of “Are You Loved“ ahead of the single’s release tomorrow.
As well as being a highly accomplished musician, Dunlop’s songcraft has always shone brightly, something he has an incredibly deep passion for, as witnessed by the live music event, Bristol Song Circle, which he runs with music journalist Duncan Haskell at Bristol’s Rough Trade, where artists take turns performing, talking about their craft, and collaborating on stage like a private jam session. While we’ve not been short on praise for his previous releases, this new album, produced by Ian Grimble (Mumford & Sons, Travis, Bear’s Den, Seth Lakeman), carries some serious weight, with the enduring power of songs, stories, and human connection at its heart.
His songcraft keeps evolving, and it’s clearer than ever on this powerful new single, whose wake-up call is unmistakable. Are You Loved? tackles a growing contemporary issue: the exploitation by social media of our inherent desire to be ‘liked’. Blair examines the societal need for likes and shares and asks us to connect more meaningfully. With all the talk of AI in the news recently, his song is a timely reminder that tech and social media are increasingly linked to rising social anxieties and, in turn, our mental well-being. It’s a sober reminder that corporate profit margins sit behind these offerings of what he aptly describes as a “world inside a chip behind a 6 inch screen”, and we in turn share all our deepest thoughts with them in return for that dopamine hit – “a needle in the arm” and the mistaken belief that it “Doesn’t cause you pain. Doesn’t cause you harm”. This is top-drawer stuff from a singer unafraid to tackle today’s societal truths.
Joining Blair in this live session are Holly Carter on Pedal Steel and backing vocals, Jason Tebble on Bass Guitar and Fred Claridge on Drums and Backing vocals. See live dates below.
As the press release reveals, the album features a cast of long-time friends and collaborators, featuring performances from Fred Claridge (Nick Mulvey, Blanco White), JJ Stoney (Billy Bragg), Holly Brandon (The Magpies), Ellie Gowers, Tommy Heap (Billie Marten, Matthew And The Atlas), Asha Jefferies and Liz Stringer. Adding a new dimension to Dunlop’s sound, acclaimed pedal steel player CJ Hillman (Billy Bragg, Kiefer Sutherland) makes several appearances across the record.
More soon. In the meantime, get those live dates in your diary and: Pre-Order What Still Survives
Tour Dates
Tickets: https://blairdunlop.com/live/
18 Nov – Gullivers, Manchester
19 Nov – NCEM, York
20 Nov – Temperance, Leamington Spa
21 Nov – Louisiana, Bristol
22 Nov – Phoenix, Exeter
24 Nov – Hug and Pint, Glasgow
25 Nov – Head of Steam, Newcastle
26 Nov – Live Room, Saltaire
27 Nov – Greystones, Sheffield
28 Nov – The Grace, London