An island of tranquility amidst these turbulent times, the opening track of Johnny’s upcoming new album: ‘Cheap Medication’ is a calming and gently nostalgic listen to balm the soul. Drifting on a bed of calypso rhythms, lilting slide guitars, fluttering birdsong and even a panpipe solo, the track finds Johnny with his head in the clouds and discovering heavenly new platitudes as a songwriter.
Opening up about the new single Johnny says: “Suze is a strange tale of crossed wires and infidelities. A passing portrait of an imagined event I went along with while I was writing the song. It ended up taking me somewhere I hadn’t been before musically.”
Following ‘Real Thing’ (a recent ‘Lamacq Livener’ on BBC 6 Music), the track is the second and final single to be cut from Johnny’s sophomore album ahead of its release on 30th October (via Xtra Mile Recordings).
His new album, ‘Cheap Medication’, is the latest instalment of what Johnny hopes will become an annual series of releases from here on. The follow-up to 2019’s ‘Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds’, the record continues a prolific spell of activity for the Camden songwriter over the last 2 years. Alongside his solo debut, Johnny has also released two compilations of outtakes and rarities (Low Fidelity Vol. 1 & 2); scored the entire soundtrack for the critically acclaimed Sky Atlantic series ‘I Hate Suzie’ (in collaboration with his partner Billie Piper and playwright Lucy Prebble - out now); and even found the time to reform indie-rock titans: Tribes.
‘Cheap Medication’ was made once again with producer Nathan Coen, and recorded between his base in London, Johnny’s home in Dorset, and the legendary Abbey Road Studios. It features guest appearances from familiar faces including: Kapil Trivedi of Mystery Jets, Pete Denton of The Kooks and Tom Odell’s backing band; plus an introduction to rising San Diego star Shelbi Bennet on its soaring title-track.
Euphoric and universal, uplifting and even at times spiritual, ‘Cheap Medication’ is a record that finds an artist comfortable in his own skin and daring to take chances; the therapy of a life in songwriting yielding its most confident results yet.
“I don’t think I’ve been happier with a collection of songs for a long time. I feel really good about this and think there really is something on there for everyone.”