After more than 20 years Pulp released new music this week with their track Spike Island.
I’m a huge Pulp fan. I think Different Class is one of the greatest Britpop albums and I listen to it on vinyl regularly. So it took me a hot minute to get onboard with this new track because, how dare Jarvis Cocker not sound exactly like he did 30 years ago. But once I got my head out of that, Spike Island is really quite remarkable for a band who haven’t released new music in so long.
I still don’t love the intro. There’s something a little off about it that I can’t quite put my finger on, but the song really finds its stride about 2 minutes in with the lyrics “I was born to perform, it’s a calling” you hear Jarvis Cocker come into his own, from the phrasing to the delivery it reminds you of everything that’s great about this band. It’s a song about nostalgia and disillusionment, with a certain vulnerability about it. Not something I’d typically associate with Pulp’s frontman.
Structurally, Spike Island is probably a little safer than some of their most well known tracks, but it still has Cocker’s trademark half spoken half sung approach, and has that distinct Britpop feel to it. And honestly, who wouldn’t play it slightly safe after all this time, it’s not surprising they’ve still got the metaphorical guide rails up as they begin to create together again. It’s great to hear Pulp making new music and I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the album.
Presave the new album More here.
About Pulp
Pulp are an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 1978. They gained prominence in the 1990s with albums like His ‘n’ Hers (1994), Different Class (1995), and This Is Hardcore (1998), becoming key figures in the Britpop movement. The band’s lineup included Jarvis Cocker (vocals, guitar), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Nick Banks (drums), Mark Webber (guitar) and Steve Mackey (bass – Steve sadly passed away in 2023 and was replaced on tour by Andrew McKinney). Their music, characterized by sharp social commentary and a blend of rock and pop, resonated with a wide audience. After a hiatus, Pulp reunited in 2011 and 2022 for tours. In 2025, they announced More, their first album in 24 years, set for release on June 6.