There were 20 years between Public Image Ltd’s eighth and ninth studio albums, 1992’s That What Is Not and 2012 comeback record This Is PiL. The wait this time around won’t be nearly as long, as John Lydon’s British post-punk band will drop record number 10, What The World Needs Now…, on September 4.
The first cut off the new LP has been posted this morning. Titled “Double Trouble,” it’s a weird one, opening up like a new Sleaford Mods track with a minimal drum beat and spoken-word rant before slicing its way through more standard ’80s guitar punk sounds. The former Johnny Rotten has gotten back that familiar sneer, as well, but the beginning would sound fresher if we haven’t been hearing Jason Williamson do it on repeat for the past year or so.
Once the song gets rolling down the tracks and starts sucker-punching you along the way, it falls in line nicely with Lydon’s confrontational tone.
We’re told a string of North American dates set for November will be announced soon. In the meantime, listen to “Double Trouble” below. Pre-order the 10-inch here, and album pre-order information can be found here. The What The World Needs Now… album artwork follows the song.
