Deep Purple drop new single 'Arrogant Boy' from upcoming album
Los Angeles, May 13
The British rock band Deep Purple has released their single 'Arrogant Boy', making it the first track from their upcoming studio album 'SPLAT' to hit the airwaves.
The song, a fast and forceful hard‑rock blast, is accompanied by an official performance video that premiered on YouTube, reports 'Female First UK'.
The band's frontman Ian Gillan shared that the track centres on a character named Billy, as he said, "This is the story of Billy who couldn't read or write. He is unhappy with things, so he speaks up, and finds a way of irritating, one way or another, the elite. And I can't think of anything more fun than irritating the elite. It would be a joyous exercise for me every morning after coffee".
As per 'Female First UK', the band has confirmed that the album will be released on July 3, adding another chapter to a career that has seen Deep Purple sell more than 120 million albums since forming in 1968.
Gillan said the current line‑up feels like a modern reflection of the group's classic era. He shared, "Where we are now with this incarnation of Deep Purple feels very much like a very 'now' version of Deep Purple as it was in the seventies".
The album once again pairs the band with producer Bob Ezrin, whose long list of credits includes KISS, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed and Alice Cooper. Recorded live in the studio, the group describe the new material as their heaviest in years.
Gillan shared the songs sit naturally alongside some of their most famous work, as he said, "I have to say, now we are very much back in with material that is compatible with Highway Star, Smoke on the Water, Lazy, the dynamics, the balance, and the fun of the music we made from '69 to '73".
At the centre of the record is a concept created by Gillan exploring the end of humanity not as destruction but as transformation, with further details expected ahead of release. The band will support the album with an extensive world tour in 2026, covering 86 shows across 28 countries.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I grew up listening to "Smoke on the Water" on my dad's old cassette player. So glad they're still creating music that has that classic vibe. The concept about humanity transforming instead of ending sounds intriguing - very philosophical for a rock band!
86 shows in 28 countries - hope they come to India! We have massive Deep Purple fans here, especially in Bangalore and Mumbai. Their 70s stuff is legendary, and if this new album is comparable to "Highway Star", we're in for a treat. 🤘
Bob Ezrin producing - that alone is enough reason to be excited. The man worked on Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'! And recording live in studio? That's how real rock should be made. None of this auto-tune nonsense. 💪
Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical about bands from the 60s/70s still releasing new material. Often it feels like they're just cashing in on nostalgia. But I'll give 'Arrogant Boy' a listen - the concept about Billy sounds interesting. Hope it's not just rehashed riffs. 🤔
"Irritating the elite" - that's the spirit of rock and roll right there! Deep Purple never sold out. They've always been about raw energy and pushing boundaries. I'm definitely buying this album. 🎸
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