Pete Murray unveils dreamy new single ‘Amy’ and announces upcoming album ‘Longing’ out October 3, alongside album launch shows in October
Decades into his career but more compelling than ever, beloved Australian singer-songwriter Pete Murray arrives today armed with one of his most potent releases to date, releasing the blissfully hypnotic new single Amy, alongside the announcement of his eighth studio album Longing set for release on October 3. Nearing the end of his epic 56 date solo tour of Australia, Pete has announced three special album launch shows for New South Wales in October, tickets are available now from https://petemurray.com/.
Glistening with propulsive rhythms, sparkling acoustic guitar and Pete Murray’s ever-captivating vocal, the latest single Amy finds Pete Murray in new sonic terrain, embracing a shift in creative direction, while also coated in idyllic melodies and dreamy instrumentals. “Amy is about someone really special,” Pete reveals. “I feel Amy has a different flavour to what I have recorded before. The backbeat rhythm on the acoustic guitar is what really makes it different. I also don’t use a 4 on the floor beat under any of my songs but this works with Amy. It’s kind of hypnotic with the acoustic, snare and beat working together and when the keys solo hits in the breakdown, it’s the best!”
Teaming up with Luke Palmer (Boo Seeka, Dead Letter Circus) to bring Amy to life, with Luke engineering the track as well as lending his skills playing keys and synth bass, Pete’s new sonic chapter begins today alongside his lush new single, with Amy offering a deeper glimpse into the upcoming new album Longing due out later this year. And while it acts as a follow up to his 2017 acclaimed album Camacho, Longing will also mark the first time in two decades that Pete has released a record independently.
Via its title track, Longing opens with a hazy gleam, weaving oscillating textures and swooning warmth, before Amy kicks in next with all of her compelling beauty. From here, Longing transfixes with a journey through blues-soaked summery charm (Place Your Bets), stripped-back gems primed to tug at the heartstrings (Home To Me), effortlessly upbeat moments perfectly crafted for crowd singalongs (Higher) and powerful lyricism balanced alongside tranquil tones (I Am Fire). And from swaggering fare (Long Way To Go) through to affable odes that feel simultaneously nostalgic and fresh (Wouldn’t It Be Good), Longing also dazzles with tranquil toe-tappers (Heaven Calls) and a buoyant closing track (Shakes) that straddles relatability and hope, like a glimmering warm light waving you in from a storm and welcoming you home.
“I spend a lot of time in the studio and have a folder on my computer called ‘Unfinished’” explains Pete. “As the years went by, I kept adding to this folder and I kept slowly working some of my favourites in the folder. I would get an old session up and work on it some more then put it away again (sometimes for years). After a little while, I had a bunch of songs that really sounded like a great, cohesive body of work.”
“I’m all about trying to write an album that people love from start to finish. An album that means something special to someone,” Pete adds. “You can only make an album like this with time. My first album Feeler was written over the same period of time, about 10 years. I feel there are very similar qualities on Longing as there are on Feeler.”
And Pete’s today announced his epic ‘Longing For A Trip To Byron’ album preorder competition, giving any fan that preorders the album the chance to win a trip to Byron Bay with a mate. The winner will score flights, two nights accommodation at the luxurious Elements of Byron Bay resort, and two VIP tickets to Pete’s exclusive album launch show at the Brunswick Heads Hotel. Plus, they’ll get to meet Pete and the band after the show for a special VIP experience. To enter, fans can simply pre-order Pete’s upcoming album Longing from his official Australian webstore in any format (Vinyl, CD, Digital Download, or as part of a merch bundle) and then submit the order number before the promotion period ends at 11.59am on September 4.
Undisputedly one of Australia’s most successful singer-songwriters, Pete Murray has amassed over 1.2 million album sales, hundreds of millions of streams, three ARIA chart-topping albums, and 17 ARIA Award nominations, while also continuously touring and releasing new material for over 20 years. Emerging with his debut full length album The Game in 2001, Murray’s breakout sophomore album Feeler in 2003 cemented his status as one of the all-time greats. With ongoing hits and fan-favourites along the way, including Better Days, Feeler, Opportunity and So Beautiful, Murray’s stirring and enduring blend of positivity with acoustic, rock and folk elements has only amplified his revered reputation, including via his most recent full length album Camacho in 2017.
Now poised to release his eighth studio album in 2025, Pete has also cultivated a stalwart reputation for his live show, from his own headline shows with his band at home and abroad, as well as performances with the likes of Missy Higgins, Icehouse, Rob Thomas and James Blunt along with many more. And Australian fans will be able to catch Pete live in action this October for three very special album launch shows in New South Wales.
“This solo tour has been incredible,” shares Pete. “It was also strange as I had started to release new singles off the Longing album during the solo tour. I just have so much music to release at the moment so I’m just trying to keep things all moving forward. The new tour dates in October are all about the Longing album release and I will be playing with my band. Of course, it will be a mix of new songs and old classics, but definitely a focus on the new songs.”
And speaking of new songs, it’s the upcoming release of Longing that will also feature Pete Murray’s first completely independent album release in over two decades, with both the album and his return to independence a long, but entirely worthwhile, wait.
“It’s a great feeling to be independent again after 20 years,” says Pete. “My last independent album release was The Game in 2001. I think it’s fantastic owning my own masters again. I didn’t realise how important it was to own master 20 years ago, but you live and learn and now it’s all about recording great music that is powerful and means something special to someone and also that I own with music. Creating an album that is great from start to finish has been my goal for this new album Longing. I feel like I have achieved this, but the punters will be the real test to see if they feel the same.
Amy is out today.
Longing is set for release October 3.
Tickets for Pete Murray’s string of album launch shows in October are on sale now from www.petemurray.com.
PETE MURRAY – ALBUM LAUNCH SHOWS:
FRI 03 OCT | HOTEL BRUNSWICK, BRUNSWICK HEADS NSW | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SAT 04 OCT | DEE WHY SHOWROOM, DEE WHY | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SUN 05 OCT | DRIFTERS WHARF, GOSFORD | 18+
Tickets available from www.humanitix.com.au | Host Link | All Humanitix Outlets