04/09/2026
“Dexys Midnight Runners have today announced details of their new album, ‘LOVE’ on Heavenly Recordings, Friday 4th September 2026.
The first single and video from the album ‘My Life In England Pt.1’ is OUT NOW across streaming platforms and available to watch on Youtube.
‘LOVE’ is a deeply personal and emotionally rich album that may mark the final chapter in Dexys Midnight Runners extraordinary musical journey. Their first release under the Dexys Midnight Runners name since 1985’s Don’t Stand Me Down, LOVE gathers stories spanning Kevin Rowland’s life – from his 2nd generation Irish childhood and family relationships to late-life romance, loss and reconciliation.
Built around themes of love in all its forms, the album moves beyond traditional romance to explore ageing, memory and emotional connection. Produced by Belfast musician / DJ David Holmes and with additional contributions from long-time collaborators Sean Read, Mike Timothy, Jim Paterson and string arranger Brian Irving.
‘LOVE’ is available to pre-order on vinyl, CD and digitally.
Across the UK there are record store events taking place → https://dexysofficial.lnk.to/LOVE_RecordShopTour
Check the link in the bio for formats via the Dexys music store and retail links → https://dexysofficial.lnk.to/love
Official Store https://dexysofficial.com/
Released September 4th via @heavenlyrecordings.
Thanks to the great songwriting partners: ‘BIG’ Jim Paterson, Mike Timothy, Sean Read and David Ditchfield. Extra thanks to Dexys boys, Sean and Mike.
Produced by @davidholmes_1969 – Your vision and commitment was extraordinary, you brought things out of the music that I hadn’t envisaged.
Master Mixer Pete Schwier – Your skill and passion took the album to a whole other level.
Artwork concept by Kevin Rowland, Sarah Greenhalgh and Danny Mitchell. Produced by Micheal Shaw and Machine Shop.
Photos by @jakewaltersstudio.
Additionally, having recently announced a UK. and Irish tour, Dexys Midnight Runners have added a couple of extra shows due to demand: https://dexys.tmstor.es/Live”
My Life In England Pt 1. (Official Video)
Are you thinking “hang on, I’ve heard this before”? Then you’d be right. It was one of the two tracks recorded in 2003 for Let’s Make This Precious: The Best of Dexys Midnight Runners.
Also: Kev seems to have gone full Vic Reeves pub singer.
Kev also exhumed Manhood – the other bonus track from that Best Of compilation for 2023’s Feminine Divine LP.
Nice to see big Jimmy involved again, although how much remains to be seen.
Looking at the track listing I spy a potential Christmas number one in there..
There’s a track called You Got The Love – I thought “cor, Kev does The Source featuring Candy Staton club banger”, but sadly not.
If this really is the last Dexys album, shame there’s no Helen O’Hara on it.
I think we’ve had quite enough of You Got The Love covers after Foghorn + The Machine, thanks all the same. 😉
What an awful cover. So we have had “Dexys Midnight Runners”, “Kevin Rowland and Dexys Midnight Runners”, “Kevin Rowland”, “Dexys” and now back to “Dexys Midnight Runners” ?
Isn’t it?
And not forgetting Dexys Midnight Runners & The Emerald Express.
The People’s Front of Dexys?
Splitter!
Continuity Dexys
This is a song that has been out before and still manages to be slightly underwhelming even in it’s newer guise. In the 80s it would have barely merited a b-side. Due to those fabulous first three albums I will always want to hear what Kevin is doing now but those singing lessons really haven’t done him any favours.
I was half considering going to see them at the Corn Exchange but (a) not at that price (b) backing tapes (c) not if Kev is going to sing.
Is it the final chapter, or could there be another re-jigging “as it should’ve been” version of Don’t Stand Me Down round the corner.
The prestigious 42nd Anniversary is next year.
Having recently read Helen’s book, there’s really nothing else in the can, apart from first attempts with a different drummer.
The Creation Records reissue included a cover of The Way You Look Tonight, which was recorded during a rehearsal, was never supposed to be on the album, and was removed again from the later Director’s Cut.
The last Dexys album was bonkers. All of them are to some extent, but that one was completely gone… Looking forward to this one. I am really happy that he’s keeping up the higher work rate at the moment.
Two and a half LP’s of great stuff (let’s face it, DSMD was patchy as hell) is enough for me. Sorry Kev.
I thought DSMD was as patchy as hell when I heard it back in 1985 but it didn’t take me that long to think it was all fabulous. What turns me off a bit these days is this post therapy oversharing thing he seems to go in for and the new vocal style.
I have owned it for nearly 40 years, everybody kept telling me it was a masterpiece, but I much preferred the first 2 albums. Not sure I ever quite got it.
These days I am less enamoured with Too Rye Aye, but Searching for the Young Soul Rebels is still pretty high on my list of favourite albums. I also like the first best of album that (from memory) has quite a lot of stuff that didn’t appear on regular albums
I think the totally un-self-aware “One of those things” was where I got off the Dexy’s bus. “It all sounded the same” – really Kevin? sideways look to camera…