At the height of the Britpop era, soaring pop threesome Dubstar broke many hearts with their beautifully dreamy debut single, ‘Stars’. It was one of many highlights on Disgraceful, an album that brazenly displayed ‘pencil case vulva’ on its cover. Predictably, there were complaints from people who had spotted the poster on the London Underground, more concerned by a band with a cheeky sense of humour than their own alarming overabundance of time to waste.
Almost two decades on since their last album release, Dubstar return with their fourth record, One.
The album’s first single, ‘You Were Never In Love’ was released last month. Singer Sarah Blackwood – looking toned and resplendent – creates an alluring illusion, reclining in front of twinkly fairy lights before doing some kind of Wonder Woman transformation move which involves knocking down the walls of her house with her bare hands. Never underestimate an expert of Pilates. The song and video are both gorgeous, even if we don’t see enough of guitarist Chris Wilkie in the latter.
Dubstar was formed by Steve Hillier and Chris Wilkie in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1992. They had eight Top 40 singles (including ‘Not So Manic Now’ and ‘No More Talk’) and three hugely successful albums (including Disgraceful, Goodbye and Make It Better) in the 1990s before splitting in 2000.
When I first started working in radio in the late ’90s, Dubstar was one of the first bands I interviewed. They were charming, engaging and generous with both their time and their offerings. Nothing dispels the ‘Never Meet Your Idols’ myth more than your favourite band’s vocalist giving you a lipstick-smudged Kleenex as a memento. If truth be known, I’d been scouring Sarah’s dressing table for those false eyelashes, but that’s another story. The kids today don’t know how short-changed they are with a selfie.
After their brilliant show in Bath to promote Goodbye, Sarah followed a cuddle with a can of Red Stripe, which she enthusiastically plucked for me from their dressing room fridge. Even as a gay man watching her sing ‘I Will Be Your Girlfriend’ earlier on that night, I was entirely convinced it would be a great idea.
One – Dubstar’s first album for seventeen years – has been produced by Youth, the founding member and bassist of Killing Joke. As a producer, his work is exhaustive. He has played a massive part in shaping the sounds of works by Embrace, James, Beth Orton, Symposium and The Verve.
One will be released on September 28th, and if you’re wondering if it will contain the satisfyingly bittersweet pangs of Dubstar’s back catalogue, then you might be in for a treat. ‘Love Comes Late’ (released on July 23rd) is a song about a mid-life crisis! To give you any more details will only spoil the fun. Eager fans will also know that the album’s sublime teaser track, ‘Waltz No.9’ is already available to stream online.
The full track-listing for One runs as follows:
Love Comes Late
Love Gathers
Torched
Please Stop Leaving Me Alone
I Hold Your Heart
Waltz Number 9
You Were Never In Love
Locked Inside
Why Don’t You Kiss Me
Mantra.
⚪️ Dubstar’s new album ‘One’ is released on October 12. Order here.
