NEW YORK — English band Pulp has made an unexpected return to the music scene with their first new album in 24 years. No one anticipated this comeback, not even the band members themselves. Jarvis Cocker, the energetic lead singer, said with a sense of surprise, “It took us by surprise as well. Why not?”
Pulp, known for their ambitious Britpop style, emerged in the late 1970s in Sheffield, England. Initially, they stood out as artistic outsiders with a distinct taste for the glamorous and the grim. The band, especially Cocker, displayed a quirky and gawky style. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s during the Cool Britannia era that fame embraced them, setting them apart from bands like the recently revived Blur and soon-to-be reunited Oasis.
Pulp’s music, influenced by David Bowie’s synth-pop, is a unique mix of humor, intellectual depth, and groovy tunes that address themes like sex and class consciousness. Their songs manage to be both awkward and amorous, captivating generations of fans before going on a hiatus in 2002. They returned briefly during tours in 2011 and again in 2022, maintaining a devoted fan base eager for more.
The band’s latest offering, “More,” ushers in their first new album in over two decades. Several factors inspired this revival. Drummer Nick Banks humorously noted, “We could get along with each other still.” The positive reception of a new song, “The Hymn of the North,” performed during their reunion tours, further motivated them. However, a significant driving force was the loss of bassist Steve Mackey in 2023, which made Cocker realize the urgency of creating new music. “You’ve still got an opportunity to create things, if you want to. Are you going to give it a go?” he reflected.
Cocker reassured his fellow band members, Banks, guitarist Mark Webber, and keyboardist Candida Doyle, that the recording process would be swift—just three weeks. This accelerated pace marks a departure from their previous lengthy recording processes. Webber admitted, “There’s a reticence to get involved in a years-long process.” However, writing new songs came more easily when they stepped into the studio.
A breakthrough for Cocker was writing lyrics in advance for the first time, which he found improved the overall studio experience. The album “More” features a mix of old and new tracks from Pulp’s career. Notably, the late Mackey is credited on tracks like “Grown Ups,” an existential piece originally drafted around the time of the 1998 album “This Is Hardcore,” and “Got to Have Love,” a disco-inspired track penned around the millennium. The romantic undertone of the latter resonated with Cocker, particularly following his marriage.
The album’s theme of growing up is delivered with a mature perspective. “I was always told at school that I had an immature attitude. I just didn’t see any point in growing up, really,” Cocker reminisced. He stressed the importance of maintaining interest in the world to prevent growing old in mind and spirit.
As the band celebrates the 30th anniversary of their career-defining song “Common People,” they hold it dear due to its enduring impact. “More,” produced by James Ford, who has worked with bands like Arctic Monkeys and Fontaines D.C., will be released on Friday. Following its release, Pulp will embark on tours across the U.K. and North America.
While fans might wonder if this marks the start of a new chapter for Pulp, Cocker humorously suggests a possible sequel with “Even More.” However, he quickly downplayed it, saying, “The album wasn’t conceived of as a tombstone … The jury is out.” For now, the band is enjoying the excitement of their return and looking forward to sharing their music with the world once more.