Bragg’s Emporium

The Million Things That Never Happened – New Studio Album – Marble 12″ vinyl signed sleeve

£24.00

‘The Million Things That Never Happened’, Billy’s tenth studio album, on the Cooking Vinyl label.
The album, the first pandemic blues album of our times but also a heartfelt paean to human resilience, features 12 soulful country rock gems. The record was produced by Romeo Stodart and Dave Izumi at Echo Zoo studio in Eastbourne. All songs are written by Billy Bragg apart from the final song (Ten Mysterious Photos That Can’t Be Explained), which is co-written by Billy’s son Jack Valero.

“In an age of division, ‘The Million Things That Never Happened’ is a gentle embrace of what unites us all.” NME

“…Bragg will always be relevant ”4* Record Collector

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SKU: A Million Things 12" Marble Vinyl Category:

Description

It was always my intention to record a new album in 2021. I’d planned to spend most of 2020 on the road, where I could crank out ideas for new songs in soundchecks and maybe even try a few in the live set. Things didn’t quite work out that way, of course. In the past, it has been purely personal issues that have kept me off the road and I’ve sought to come to terms with those events by writing songs that draw the listener’s attention to my individual experience.

The manner in which this pandemic has unfolded is something we’ve never faced before – a universal experience that has impinged on all of our lives. When the first lockdown was declared, I filled the space left by cancelled tours with clips and playlists that made me feel connected to my audience. When hopes of a return to normal were thwarted by the second lockdown in late 2020, I struggled to find the motivation that had driven my response to the first.

Looking for something to focus on, I booked some studio time with Romeo Stodart and Dave Izumi and began pulling songs together for a new album. Twice the dates we booked had to be postponed due to pandemic restrictions, but Romeo and Dave carried on working, creating backing tracks based on the demos I’d sent them. When we were finally able to get together in April this year, they presented me with a different way of making songs, something I found highly engaging after the lost of momentum brought on by the lockdowns.

The Million Things That Never Happened isn’t about the pandemic per se, but the highs and lows of what we’ve been through provide the backdrop for the album, as they have done for all our lives over these past two years.

The Million Things That Never Happened ranks as one of Bragg’s most thoughtful efforts, no small accomplishments considering the remarkable records that came before. As both an activist and observer, Bragg can’t be bettered.
American Songwriter

“In an age of division, ‘The Million Things That Never Happened’ is a gentle embrace of what unites us all.” NME

“…Bragg will always be relevant ”4* Record Collector

COOKLP802

SIDE 1:
Should Have Seen It Coming
Mid-Century Modern
Lonesome Ocean
Good Days and Bad Days
Freedom Doesn’t Come For Free
Reflections on the Mirth of Creativity

SIDE 2:
The Million Things That Never Happened
The Buck Doesn’t Stop Here No More
I Believe In You
Pass It On
I Will Be Your Shield
Ten Mysterious Photos That Can’t Be Explained

Additional information

Weight 0.903 kg
Dimensions 31 × 31 cm
© Billy Bragg 2021 - 2023