Absolute Label Services has signed multi-platinum British singer-songwriter Matt Cardle for a new studio album.
The deal will see Absolute power the release of The Great Escape, Cardle’s first studio album in more than seven years, with a number of services including distribution, marketing and project management.
Cardle’s career spans more than 15 years, with record sales in excess of three million.
The 2010 X Factor winner released his debut million-selling single When We Collide following his victory, with the track spending three weeks at No.1. It was followed by the Gary Barlow-penned Run For Your Life, which reached the Top 10. His duet with Melanie C, Loving You, made the Top 20 in 2013 and has more than seven million streams.
Cardle has released four albums including the platinum-selling Letters (No.2 peak) and the silver-certified Top 10 LP The Fire. Follow-up Porcelain, released on Absolute, reached No.3.
The Great Escape will be released on April 10. Lead single Drinking Dreams is available now, with the first radio single Nobody’s Jesus released in January.
Cardle has written The Great Escape alongside long-term collaborators Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding, Kylie), Michael Champion (Champs, Wet Leg), Ben Cullum (Jamie Cullum, Gabrielle, Ferry Corsten), Tim Bran (London Grammar) and Dan McDougall (Sam Ryder, Liam Gallagher, Bruno Major).
The album was produced by Dan McDougall with one song co-produced and co-written by the multiple Ivor Novello winner Eg White (Adele, Florence + The Machine). The album, recorded in London, was mixed by Charlie Russell (Robbie Williams, Jamiroquai).
This album heralds a brilliant return and is a great addition to his multi-platinum selling body of work
Fraser Ealey
In addition to its digital release, limited edition physical formats of The Great Escape include a white vinyl LP and poster, picture disc vinyl, white cassette and CD. Amazon will also offer an exclusive CD housed in a special signed alternative artwork slipcase.
Nathan Charles Smith, of NCS Entertainment Services, said: “Matt has created an incredible new body of work with The Great Escape and it’s a real joy to be releasing what is his fifth studio album with Absolute. Fraser Ealey first heard songs from the album over a year ago and has been a constant in getting the album delivered and a campaign in place. It’s this hands-on approach that attracted us to working with Absolute again.
“This is arguably Matt’s best studio album to date, one he has taken full creative and musical control over. Matt is an outstanding vocalist and songwriter and I really hope this album connects as he truly is one of the UK’s best male vocalists.”
Absolute senior label manager Fraser Ealey said: “It’s a great pleasure to be able to support Matt and power the release of The Great Escape. Matt is a tremendous artist and writer with a dedicated, passionate following. This album heralds a brilliant return and is a great addition to his multi-platinum selling body of work.”
Label service company Absolute’s current and recent client base ranges from developing talent such as The Reytons, Immi Dash and Edbl to familiar names including Scouting For Girls, Louise, Alison Goldfrapp, Alice Cooper, Hybrid Minds, Thousand Foot Crutch, Sea Power, Mica Paris, Bananarama, The Damned and PP Arnold, Kaiser Chiefs, Feeder and Busted.
