Richard Hawley – Further BMG (2019)
Sheffield’s favourite troubadour Richard Hawley has scored a dramatic number three entry in the Official UK Albums Chart with his latest album, Further, his first to be released by BMG.
It’s his best opening chart position since 2012’s Standing At The Sky’s Edge.
Hawley first made his name as guitarist for The Longpigs and later, Pulp, but 2019 marks his 20th anniversary as a solo artist.
With his music deeply rooted in his hometown of Sheffield, where Further was recorded, Hawley has ‘national treasure’ status in the UK.
Further is one of his most immediate works with 11 tracks in less than 40 minutes, typified by its opening track, the thunderous lead single ‘Off My Mind’.
Alistair Norbury, BMG President Repertoire & Marketing UK, said, “We are absolutely delighted for Richard. This is an incredible result in a competitive chart week. We are even more delighted that not only did BMG release this album, we also have the honor of representing his publishing.”
Richard Hawley’s manager Graham Wrench said, “We are overjoyed with the reaction to this album. It’s been tremendous. And it’s a fantastic start with our new label, BMG, who individually and collectively have worked with great spirit and tenacity.”
2019 has already proven to be a banner year for Richard Hawley. March saw the critically-acclaimed premiere of his first musical, Standing At The Sky’s Edge, at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. Chronicling the lives of three families who live on the city’s Park Hill estate across three generations, the narrative traverses the post-War optimism during which the estate was built, to its decline into a no-go area in the late ‘80s, and its more recent gentrification.
The Guardian described it as “a heartfelt exploration of home in all its guises” while The Stage gave it a five star review, describing it as “a glorious musical tribute to an iconic Sheffield building”.
NMR
