The Pretenders return with the announcement of Relentless, their fourteenth studio album, due for release 15th September 2023 via Parlophone

Relentless is a clearly defined snapshot of where The Pretenders are in 2023. Arriving with the impulsiveness and attitude that at once defines the bands eternal spirit, brand new single Let The Sun Come In is also released today, following a premiere on the BBC Radio 2 Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. Listen here.

Speaking about the album title, Chrissie Hynde said:

I enjoy seeing the various meanings and origins of a word. And I liked the definition: showing no abatement of intensity. Its the life of the artist. You never retire. You become relentless.

The news arrives as The Pretenders look ahead to a massive summer of live performances. Tomorrow night, Friday 12th May, the band will unleash new songs from Relentless as they headline Brightons Great Escape Festival, starting a sold out tour of very special exclusive club shows visiting some of the UK and Irelands most intimate venues.

On 30th June The Pretenders will join Guns N Roses as special guests at Londons BST Hyde Park, and at huge outdoor shows in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands, before headline performances at summer festivals including Midnight Sun, Bearded Theory, Black Deer and Kite. In October the band will land in America to play Ohana Festival, California, by invitation of Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl. More 2023 live activity is soon to be announced.

Relentless is the second consecutive Pretenders album to be written as a collaboration between Chrissie Hynde and the bands resident guitar hero, James Walbourne. Especially sought after in his own right, having recorded with Dave Gahan, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Rails amongst many more.

Speaking about the Hynde/Walbourne songwriting process, Chrissie Hynde said:

We had developed this method of working remotely and it seemed like we just kept on doing it for this album. This is something that weve honed down to an art in the last few years. He always comes up with something I wouldnt have thought of myself and I love surprises.

Produced by David Wrench and recorded at Battery Studios in West London, the albums 12 tracks feature what Chrissie describes as The Pretenders Collective. This extended band features James Walbourne (guitars), Kris Sonne (drums), Chris Hill (double bass), Dave Page (bass) and Carwyn Ellis (keyboards and guitars).

Relentless also features a long hoped-for collaboration with the esteemed composer Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead, The Smile), who provides the string arrangement and conducted the 12 Ensemble for the albums beautiful closing track, I Think About You Daily.

Relentless is The Pretenders first album to be released via Warner Brothers – Parlophones parent record label – since 1999. After first signing to small independent label Real Records on the back of the heyday of punk rock, The Pretenders first single led them to sign with Sire – whose parent company was also Warner Brothers – via legendary A&R Seymour Stein, a partnership lasting 20 years.

And now in 2023 and The Pretenders are back at their live and brilliant best – the upcoming Relentless tour follows a handful of very intimate shows played earlier this year for Independent Venue Week. Fans were treated to a glimpse of as yet unreleased new music as The Guardian confirmed, Hyndes songwriting is as sharp as ever, with new songs stealing the limelight from classic hits

Relentless Tracklist

Losing My Sense Of Taste

1. A Love
2. Domestic Silence
3. The Copa
4. Promise Of Love
5. Merry Widow
6. Let The Sun Come In
7. Look Away
8. Your House Is On Fire
9. Just Let It Go
10. Vainglorious
11. I Think About You Daily