Former Level 42 Member Launches New Career Chapter With Imminent Solo Album

NEW SINGLE ‘FAINT LOVE’ – OUT 7 MAY VIA ABBEY RECORDS

Assembling a network of collaborators, ex-Level 42 drummer and songwriter, Phil Gould returns with ‘Faint Love’. This new track follows on from ‘Beautiful Wounds’ and ‘The Dance’ – the exciting new singles from his forthcoming solo album – out this summer via Abbey Records.

Phil Gould continues his Beautiful Wounds album campaign with the exciting new single ‘Faint Love’. With lyrics that reflect lived experience, of love, compromise, reflection and strength, drawn from the trials that life and time offer. A feeling that most of us will recognise arises from the track, a sense of loss and heart break juxtaposed with the empowerment of pulling away from a negative situation and the freedom that offers.

A testament to his vision and talent, Phil Gould pulls together a myriad of collaborators and musicians, including the immensely talented Wally Badarou (Grace Jones / Talking Heads) and yet this does not overwhelm us or create uncertainty in its musical direction. Lead by the immaculate vocal from Anji Hinke “Faint Love” quickly finds its character and groove as the ostinato marimba invokes the cyclical nature of love and loss.

Phil Gould: “Faint Love started life as a Wally Badarou melody, sitting on an ostintato keyboard part, which I transferred to marimba and then built the track from there. The plaintive mood suggested by the chords inspired me to write a song about the often-painful awakening that comes with honesty, when you realise that you can no longer accept second best and that settling for an ‘easy life’ is, in truth, an uneasy life.”

‘I’ve been damned by faint love and lukewarm tenderness

And I would rather walk these streets

Than lay in a bed so loveless’

Phil Gould is an internationally acclaimed drummer, composer and lyricist who is most recognised for being a founding member of the much-celebrated British jazz-funk outfit, Level 42. Alongside the band’s original line-up (Mark King, Mike Lindup, Boon Gould and Wally Badarou being an unofficial fifth member) they recorded seven studio albums and one live album, achieving widespread acclaim across Europe and North America.

Following the many successes achieved by the band, Phil decided to take his own solo route, spending his time raising his family whilst exploring other music genres, collaborating with myriads of talented artists and continuing to write, away from the pressure of a major touring band. Now having finished his second solo album, and his first signed project since 2009’s Watertight, Phil is finally ready for the world to hear his new sound.

Phil Gould’s new single, ‘Faint Love’ is available from May 7th. The album Beautiful Wounds will be available from June 18th.