Glasgvegas return with the anthemic ‘Degüello’ and tell us about first album in six years, ‘Airy Fairy’

Glasvegas have returned with their first new music in six years, sharing the anthemic ‘Degüello’ from their “wiser” fifth album ‘Airy Fairy’. Check out all the details below along with our exclusive interview with frontman James Allan. Arriving on Friday April 2 before the Scottish indie veterans kick off an 11-date UK and Ireland tour, the “wiser” ‘Airy Fairy’ was written as a reaction to the frustrations experienced making 2021 predecessor ‘Godspeed‘. Capturing that sense of urgency is the epic launch single ‘Degüello’ (Spanish for ‘cutthroat’) – bittersweet in a classic Glasvegas spirit. “I first heard the word on an old film on TV, but I was using it more like a blanket expression for things that aren’t so good in my personality: my bad temper, a bad mood,” Allan told NME. “But the song is my elaborate plan of being something better. I’m setting off on a quest of trying to be a colourful rainbow…” He continued: “It’s a funny one, because this album seems to have everyone split on what their favourite songs are. Not only within the band, but also with our families, the record label and those who’ve heard the album. And several songs were floated as the first single, which I think is a good sign. “I think Rab [Allan, guitar] suggested ‘Degüello’ and he is the one we follow with decisions like this. He often chooses the live setlist. He fancies himself as a man who knows how to please an audience.” Asked what the song tells us about the rest of the record, Allen shared: “I’m pretty terrible when it comes to explaining where the lyrics and melodies come from. They seem to just find their way to me, and it was the same with this album. I think these songs were meant to be in this moment, on this album, and my duty is to weave them together and deliver them to the world, hoping that they connect to someone, somewhere. “I’d like our music to mean something to those who listen to it, and if even one person hears one song on this album and connects to it, then it is all worth it.”Recommended Check out the rest of our interview with Allan below, where the frontman also told us about finding happiness, what “airy fairy” means to him, the band’s legacy, and the current state of indie. NME: Hi James. How’s life these days? Where are the songs coming from? James Allan: “Hiya, life is really good. I’m living in Glasgow with my family and working on a lot of music. Feeling very lucky. “I think the songs come from the queue of thoughts that I carry around in my every day. It might not be the thing I’ve been thinking about the most but a thought that doesn’t stray too far. Then they seem to find their way into a song. A lot of times, someone might say something or I’ll see an image or hear a word that sounds sugary. I’d like to think these songs are just meant to be.” You’ve spoken of the frustrations of making last album ‘Godspeed’. How did they manifest and how did they inform your spirit and approach heading into this record? “There are some things I learned on the last record that I’m not ‘naturally blessed’ at and others I just didn’t really enjoy. More so on the engineering side of things. I type with one finger and forget if, when, or where cables ever got plugged in. So, we had a bit of help on this record. And I feel like we’ve made an effort of coming together, to really enjoy making this album together as a band.” Glasvegas’ James Allan in 2015 CREDIT: Ross Gilmore/Redferns This album really flows with the core DNA of Glasvegas. How would you describe what that is? “I think it’s our personality and style. You know the movie Forrest Gump? That line: ‘I couldn’t tell where heaven stopped and the Earth began’ – as long as it sounds like that then we are happy.” You’ve said you’re reclaiming the term ‘Airy Fairy’. What led you to that? “Ha! I don’t know about reclaiming but I guess it was something I thought growing up was a bad thing, but as I get older I by no means see it as perfect thing but see it as a ‘me thing’ and there are good things in that. I’ve got school reports where they always called me a ‘dreamer’ and I would struggle to listen to the teachers. That kept with me throughout the years, not being able to focus when I played professional football or being easily distracted when I was supposed to do things. I’m still late a lot and my kitchen is currently half-painted in cobalt blue, but if it wasn’t for the way I am, I wouldn’t be me, and I like being me.” It’s going to look really fun on a tour t-shirt. “Yes!” What would you say is the lyrical thread and character to this record? “I think it’s just the way I see myself and the world through my eyes. A lot of it is taken from my identity over the past few years, the things I’ve seen, heard and experienced. Who I am and who I have been and who I want to be. In some ways, the red thread I’ve weaved through this record represents everything from my childhood, my life now and the hopes for my future.” Returning to Glasgow Academy is going to be special. What does that venue mean to you and what do you have planned for that show and this tour to make it stand out? “Everyone knows about how special Glasgow is to play. And the audiences. I want this tour and this show to be theatre. I can’t wait to play these new songs live.” There aren’t a lot of bands from when you first emerged still going so strong. What’s your secret? “When we started playing music, I wasn’t a singer or whatever. We were just friends and family. I think everything has been built on that. I’m lucky enough to be working with my best friends and family. I think it also helps that everyone has accepted that I’m a bit airy fairy and they just roll with it.” The era in which you guys emerged has been retroactively labeled as ‘indie sleaze’. What do you make of that and how do you feel about how that time is being remembered? “I’ve always thought of us as an island inside a country of other bands. I really don’t mean that in an arrogant or superior way, we just know what we are and are cool with that.” A lot of new guitar bands are now using those times as source material. Do you hear your own influence in new generations of artists? What do you make of the scene right now? “I’m honoured every time a younger band comes up and tells us that our music has influenced them in any way, it’s really special to have our music connect in that way, and if it inspires them to pick up a pen, a guitar, a paintbrush or anything, that’s cool. I’ve been to see a lot of young bands and artists in the past few years, like Cherry, untitled and A.S. Fanning, and I’m not at all worried about the next generations of musicians, they’re sounding brilliant. “But I do feel that the music scene in general needs to take better care of its people. Musicians need to have places to play, especially working class kids, they need to be paid fairly at gigs. There should be more money put into artists and musicians, because it’s such an important part of all of our lives, now more than ever. And coming from Glasgow, which has always had a crazy music scene and incredible festivals, it’s a special world to be a part of.” How do you feel about Glasvegas’ legacy and how do you want to be remembered? “I’ve got Glasvegas to thank for a lot in my life. I’ve been working with my best friends all these years. We’ve been to the Amazon jungle, beach houses in LA and tiny backstage rooms where the toilets don’t flush. I’ve gotten to take my family around the world. I got to see my mum up on strangers’ shoulders at festivals abroad. I’ve met so many friends over the years, including my wife who I first met at a Swedish festival. If we are remembered beyond that, I’d feel lucky.” Glasvegas announce new album ‘Airy Fairy’. Credit: Press Glasvegas release ‘Airy Fairy’ Friday April 2 via Modern Sky UK. 1. ‘Degüello’ 2. ‘Airy Fairy’ 3. ‘Holiday & Travel Brochure’ 4. ‘My Hate Part’ 5. ‘Virtually Real’ 6. ‘TOOBIN’ 7. ‘Null’ 8. ‘Even Your Darkness Has A Light Of Its Own’ 9. ‘Lost In L.A.’ 10.Geographic’ The band will also be heading out on tour in 2027. Full dates are below, with tickets on sale from 10am on Friday October 30 and available here. MAY Saturday 1 – Glasgow, O2 Academy Friday 7 – Newcastle, Digital Saturday 8– Manchester, Club Academy Sunday 9 – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club Wednesday 12 – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms Thursday 13 – Bristol, Thekla Friday 14 – London, The Dome SEPTEMBER Thursday 9 – Belfast, Limelight 2 Friday 10– Dublin, Whelan’s Saturday 11 – Cork, Cyprus Avenue Sunday 12 – Limerick, Dolan’s Warehouse