Upon hearing that multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter KT Tunstall is getting ready to release her third studio album, Tiger Suit this Fall via Virgin Records, I was inspired to go and re-discover her first two albums, which I have enjoyed on and off over the years but never given a thorough listen to. As a matter of fact, I just went onto Amazon and purchased both albums…impulsive? Maybe just a little.
Tiger Suit is due out on September 28th and features a seemingly different sound than Tunstall’s fans might be used to. The music is described as “Nature Techno,” according to Tunstall. The musical style gets it’s name because of “it’s blend of organic instrumentation and electronic, dance-friendly textures.” SOLD. Tunstall began demoing songs for the new album in 2009 from the comfort of her own solar-powered recording studio at her home in rural England. Flying to Berlin this past January, Tunstall recorded the album in the very same studio where David Bowie, U2 and Iggy Pop had previously recorded some of their most well known work. Under the watchful eye (and ear) of producer Jim Abbiss (Artic Monkeys, Adele, Kasabian, Editors) KT completed the album in London earlier this year. While Tunstall did write a majority of the album, she did receive a little assistance from Linda Perry, Greg Kurstin, Martin Terefe and Jimmy Hogarth, the latter two, with whom she worked with on both Drastic Fantastic and Eye To The Telescope.
More successful overseas, Tunstall has had some chart success here in America. 2007’s Drastic Fantastic debuted at an impressive #9 on the Billboard Top 200, producing the successful single “Hold On.” Her U.S. debut, Eye To The Telescope peaked on the Billboard charts at #47 but went produced three popular singles including the Grammy-nominated “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.” While Tunstall’s singles off of ‘Telescope’ were radio friendly, ‘Drastic Fantastic’ just didn’t feature as many radio friendly tracks. Here’s hoping that Linda Perry, Greg Kurstin and this so-called “Nature Techno” create some radio-friendly hits that American Radio will actually play. Regardless of whether or not U.S. radio embraces Tunstall’s next effort, it’s sure to be solid in my book.
Next month we see Tunstall perform during the WNBA vs. USA Basketball halftime presentation. This nationally televised event (catch it July 10th on ESPN at 3:30 PM ET) showcases the world’s best female basketball players all under one roof. In addition to this high profile appearance, Tunstall will be doing promo in America July 10th through July 18th, performing two solo shows in New York (July 13th at the Hiro Ballroom) and Los Angeles (July 15th at Hotel Café). No word yet on the final album tracklisting or what the first single will be but we can surely expect more information soon.