MJ Cole releases first album in 17 years, MJ Cole Presents Madrugada
Titled after the Spanish word for the early hours before sunrise, the album was recorded on the UK artist’s upright Yamaha piano. Across 12 tracks, London violinist and string arranger Tobie Tripp feature on the record, as well as a 14-piece orchestra recorded at RAK studios. The LP comes with a short film directed by Henry Dean, capturing what the press release describes as the “isolation, integration and rebellion” of madrugada.
The remix EP, MJ Cole Represents Madrugada Remixes is also out, including appearances from Shanti Celeste, Max Cooper, Model Man and Cole himself.
On his shift away from dance music MJ Cole says, “I’ve made hundreds of records and had albums out before, but this record has always been brewing in the background. It’s been gestating my whole life—but the execution of it has been very quick.”
He continues: “I really feel like a new artist. This isn’t just me sitting down at the piano and writing something nice and ambient, I’m coming at it as a hardcore manipulator of sounds. You can hear my breath, you can hear the pedal, you can hear the piano as a living instrument.”
MJ Cole is best known for his contributions to the UK garage scene. His last album, Cut To The Chase was put out in 2003.
Watch the short film, MJ Cole Presents Madrugada.
Listen to MJ Cole Presents Madrugada.
Tracklist
01. A Visit To Lolita
02. Far Closer
03. Cathedral
04. Knocking
05. Sonoran
06. 90 Miles
07. Solo Waltzer
08. Strings For Jodie
09. Reimagination
10. Psalm 892
11. Dizzy New Heights
12. Resolution
MJ Cole Presents Madrugada is out now on Decca Records.
