James Dean Bradfield from the Manics shares two singles from new solo album

James Dean Bradfield has released two new solo singles – both taken from the Manic Street Preachers frontman’s upcoming solo album.

He's released a video for the pensive There’ll Come A War which is followed by the soaring instrumental Seeking The Room With The Three Windows.

The as-yet-untitled album, which is set for release later this year on a date still to be confirmed, was recorded and produced by Bradfield while the lyrics were penned by Welsh poet and playwright Patrick Jones – the elder brother of Manics bassist Nicky Wire.

The record will focus on the life, death and career of Chilean musician and political activist Victor Jara.

Speaking to NME, Bradfield said There'll Come A War is about “knowing that war is on the way and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. No matter how much you do, no matter how much you shout. You can’t stop it.

“The fear involved in that must be very low-slung and pernicious. I just wanted to reflect that. I wanted to show the seriousness of the story without being too heavy-handed about it.”

As for Seeking The Room With The Three Windows, Bradfield said it was inspired by a photograph of Jara standing at Machu Picchu with his acoustic guitar, adding: “The picture is a fantasy made real, it looks like organic prog! It screams, ‘I’ve got the freedom to do what I want’, and I found it as inspiring as anything.”

Bradfield’s last solo outing was 2006’s album The Great Western.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.