Richard Ashcroft: Lovin’ You

Virgin Music

Vinyl | CD | DL

Out 10 October from Sister Ray

Richard Ashcroft’s Lovin’ You marks a confident and quietly triumphant return — his first collection of new material since 2018’s Natural Rebel. In the years since, Ashcroft has reignited his live presence with a string of headline shows and a hugely successful run as special guest on Oasis’s stadium tour. Those performances reminded everyone exactly why he remains one of British music’s most magnetic figures — part spiritual frontman, part street poet, and still utterly commanding on stage.

That renewed sense of purpose runs right through Lovin’ You. It’s a record that blends acoustic intimacy with flashes of indie rock swagger, soul, and subtle electronic flourishes. The unifying thread is emotion — songs steeped in love, endurance, and the healing power of connection.

The lead single, Lover, sets the tone beautifully. A reimagining of Joan Armatrading’s “Love and Affection”, it’s tender, textured and full of warmth — a reinterpretation that Armatrading herself has publicly praised. Ashcroft’s version captures the heart of the original while giving it a more cinematic atmosphere, layering gentle rhythms with his unmistakable vocal sincerity.

Elsewhere, I’m a Rebel, co-written with Madonna collaborator Mirwais, injects a bold, rhythmic pulse into the album. It’s slick yet soulful — an unexpected highlight that proves Ashcroft still has an instinct for reinvention when it serves the song.

Tracks such as Out of These Blues feel instantly familiar, carrying the same emotional weight and melodic structure that fans will recognise from earlier works like They Don’t Own Me. That similarity doesn’t feel like repetition, but rather continuity — a reflection of Ashcroft’s unwavering belief in the redemptive power of self-expression. Where They Don’t Own Me was defiant and liberating, Out of These Blues feels more contemplative, almost like its older, wiser counterpart. It’s as if he’s revisiting the same themes of freedom and resilience, but from a more grounded, peaceful place.

Throughout Lovin’ You, Ashcroft sounds at ease with who he is as an artist. The arrangements are uncluttered, his voice sits front and centre, and the lyrics — always honest, sometimes raw — carry the quiet conviction of someone who has lived every word. There’s no posturing here, just truth and heart.

What’s most striking is how cohesive the album feels despite its stylistic range. Whether he’s leaning into stripped-back balladry or experimenting with soulful grooves, the songs are united by a warmth and clarity that speak to both craft and conviction. It’s the sound of an artist who no longer needs to prove anything — he’s simply doing what he does best.
Lovin’ You may not rewrite Ashcroft’s legacy, but it reinforces it beautifully. It’s a record of reflection and renewal, full of light and grace, and a reminder that — decades on — few songwriters can translate vulnerability into strength quite like him.

All words by Natalie Royle, you can find her author profile here

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