Acclaimed producer, musician, and author Mark Rae has released his new single "The Conker Boys", following its premiere on Radio X with John Kennedy. The track is part of Rae’s ambitious new multimedia project, New Town Ghosts, and the accompanying album New Town Ghosts–Songs From The Novel By Mark Rae, both out on April 11th.
Set during the summer of ’76 in a Northumbrian new town, New Town Ghosts weaves music and storytelling into an immersive experience exploring childhood friendship, the spirit world, and our connection with nature. Rae himself describes it as "a high-water mark" in his creative journey – something he’s clearly proud of after all these years in the industry.
"The Conker Boys" brilliantly captures this vision with jangling guitars that transport you back in time, tight drums that keep your foot tapping, and those rich vocal harmonies that stick in your head for days. It’s melancholic yet somehow warm, like an old photograph you’ve just rediscovered in a forgotten drawer.
The project doesn’t shy away from tackling deeper issues – neurodiversity, childhood poverty, environmental change – all woven seamlessly into the narrative fabric. This commitment to meaningful storytelling is what sets Rae apart from his contemporaries, tbh.
New Town Ghosts ultimately stands as a bold, heartfelt work from an artist who refuses to rest on his laurels. Instead of playing it safe, Rae continues pushing creative boundaries in ways that surprise and delight his audience.
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