11 October2025
RICHARD ASHCROFT and THE VERVE (1990–1995, 1997–1999, 2007–2009)
scored their biggest triumph, commercially and critically, in 1997 with their
3rd LP Urban
Hymns that topped the UK Charts. So did its timeless single
Bittersweet Symphony (more than 1,2 billion streams on Spotify).
The band split twice, came back and, finally, called it a day in 2009.
Between and after, Ashcroft delivered great solo work. Today, his
6th solo longplayer, titled LOVIN’ YOU landed.
It follows his performances as support act for Oasis on their reunion shows
in the UK this summer. I was at one of them, on August 3rd in Wembley Stadion
in London. 70,000 singing his greatest hits set along, word by word, caused
goosebumps
Wembley Stadium, August 3rd – photo by Turn Up The Volume.
Louder Than War says: “What’s most striking is how cohesive the album feels despite its stylistic range. Whether he’s leaning into stripped-back balladry or experimenting with soulful grooves, the songs are united by a warmth and clarity that speak to both craft and conviction. It’s the sound of an artist who no longer needs to prove anything — he’s simply doing what he does best.
Lovin’ You may not rewrite Ashcroft’s legacy, but it reinforces it beautifully. It’s a record of reflection and renewal, full of light and grace, and a reminder that — decades on — few songwriters can translate vulnerability into strength quite like him.”
Full review here.
TUTV: As an ardent Richard Ashcroft/The Verve fan a new RA full-length feels
like a conveted present a 10-year-old was waiting for. But (there’s always
a but) this one leaves me with mixed emotions.
Mind you, 5 tracks (Lover / Heavy News / I’m A Rebel / Crimson Fire ) out of the 10
are arresting tunes, but the other 5 miss the needed divertissement to make it a full commandable record. Lovin You‘ misses Ashcroft‘s epic touch and magical resonance.
No classics such as The Drugs Don’t Work, This Is How It Feels, Sonnet, Lucky Man or (of course) Bittersweet Symphony here.
Considering his illustrious work from the past, it’s hard to come up with first-class
material time and time again that achieves a similar heart-and-soul stirring glamourness. On the other hand, many singer-songwriters would have Lovin’ You on their résumé. And that says a lot about Ashcroft‘s unmistakable strength as a singer-songwriter.
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