| Direction of the Heart | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 21 October 2022 | |||
| Recorded | (up to 24 October) 2020 | |||
| Studio |
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| Length | 38:10 47:59 (with 2 bonus tracks) 56:59 (with 4 bonus tracks) | |||
| Label | BMG | |||
| Producer |
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| Simple Minds chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Direction of the Heart | ||||
Direction of the Heart (stylized as "DIRECTION > of > the > HEART") is the nineteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released on 21 October 2022 by BMG. [1] [7]
On 24 October 2020, Simple Minds finished the recording of a new studio album in Germany. [8] [9]
On 14 June 2022, Simple Minds announced the forthcoming release on 21 October 2022 of their new studio album entitled Direction of the Heart via BMG. Most of the new album's tracks were written, created and demoed in Sicily (where both Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill live). Unable to come to the UK because of COVID-19 quarantine rules, Simple Minds recorded the album at Hamburg's Chameleon Studios. [1] [7] According to the album liner notes, Direction of the Heart features fewer musicians than any previous Simple Minds album, with Burchill performing guitars, most keyboards, and most bass guitars, as well as programming much of the drumming.
Speaking of the new album, Kerr stated:
How to make a feel-good "Electro-rock" record, during the very worst of times? Direction Of The Heart is the result of that challenge. Who would have thought we'd have so much fun creating it? [7]
The album takes its name not from a track from its standard edition (as it is most commonly the case) but from "Direction of the Heart (Taormina 2022)", the first bonus track from its digital and deluxe editions, which is the new re-recorded 2022 version of the original track which had already been released on 4 January 2018 (and physically on 2 February 2018) as the B-side of the "Magic" 7" vinyl single, the lead single from Walk Between Worlds , the band's previous studio album.
On 14 June 2022, Simple Minds released for free on YouTube the lead single "Vision Thing". [1] On 9 July 2022, Simple Minds released on YouTube a lyric video for "Vision Thing". [2]
On 2 September 2022, it was announced that the world premiere of the new Simple Minds single "First You Jump" would occur on 5 September 2022. [3]
On 7 December 2022, Simple Minds announced the forthcoming release on 9 December 2022 of "Traffic", the JG Ballard-inspired new single featuring Russell Mael of Sparks. This is a new edit of the track "Human Traffic" accompanied by a brand new acoustic version. [4]
Jim Kerr stated about the song: [5]
I ended up writing about a game called 'Human Traffic', where people get so immersed they can no longer tell the difference between reality and the game. And to bring some humour to the song, we asked Russell Mael [of Sparks] to sing on it.
On 22 June 2023, it was announced the forthcoming release on 6 October 2023 of "Solstice Kiss", the fourth and final single taken from the album. [13] It was a chart success in the UK, reaching number 2 on the UK Vinyl Singles Chart and entering the top 40 on the UK Singles Chart for one week at number 31. [14]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 75/100 [15] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [16] |
Direction of the Heart received generally positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregation website Metacritic, the album has a weighted average score of 75 out of 100 based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews". [15]
On 28 October 2022, one week after its release, Direction of the Heart reached #4 in the UK Albums charts, #3 in the Scottish Albums charts and #2 (its highest peak so far) in the UK Independent Albums charts.
All tracks are written by Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Vision Thing" | 4:39 | |
| 2. | "First You Jump" |
| 4:23 |
| 3. | "Human Traffic" | 4:17 | |
| 4. | "Who Killed Truth?" | 3:58 | |
| 5. | "Solstice Kiss" |
| 5:23 |
| 6. | "Act of Love" | 4:00 | |
| 7. | "Natural" | 3:26 | |
| 8. | "Planet Zero" | 4:10 | |
| 9. | "The Walls Came Down" | Michael Been | 3:54 |
| Total length: | 38:10 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Direction of the Heart (Taormina 2022)" | 4:55 |
| 11. | "Wondertimes" | 4:54 |
| Total length: | 47:59 | |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Vision Thing (Exclusive Rehearsal Session)" | 4:34 | |
| 13. | "First You Jump (Exclusive Rehearsal Session)" |
| 4:26 |
| Total length: | 56:59 | ||
Simple Minds
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Technical
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Weekly charts
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Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977, becoming best known internationally for their song "Don't You " (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Promised You a Miracle" (1982), "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983), "Alive and Kicking" (1985), "Sanctify Yourself" (1986), "Let There Be Love" (1991), "She's a River" (1995), and the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).
Real Life is the ninth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in April 1991 by record label Virgin Records worldwide apart from the US, where it was released by A&M.
Street Fighting Years is the eighth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in May 1989 by record label Virgin Records worldwide apart from the US, where it was released by A&M. Produced by Trevor Horn and Stephen Lipson, the album reached the top of the UK Albums Chart.
Black & White 050505 is the fourteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in the UK in September 2005. The album was not officially released in the US.
James Kerr is a Scottish musician and lead singer of the rock band Simple Minds. Commercially successful singles released by Simple Minds include "Don't You ", "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983) and "Alive and Kicking" (1985), as well as the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).
Cry is the thirteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, officially released in April 2002.
New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) is the fifth studio album by Scottish band Simple Minds. The album was released in September 1982 by record label Virgin, and was a turning point for the band as they gained critical and commercial success in the UK and Europe. It is considered one of the defining albums of the new pop movement of the early 1980s.
Once Upon a Time is the seventh studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released on 21 October 1985 by record label Virgin, Once Upon a Time topped the UK charts, and peaked at No. 10 on the US charts, spending five consecutive weeks in the Top 10 of Billboard and 16 weeks in the Top 20.
Life in a Day is the debut album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in April 1979 by record label Zoom. It reached number 30 in the UK Albums Chart. The title track and "Chelsea Girl" were issued as singles.
Real to Real Cacophony is the second studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. It was released on 23 November 1979 through record labels Zoom and Arista.
Empires and Dance is the third studio album by Scottish new wave band Simple Minds, released on 12 September 1980 by record label Arista.
Live in the City of Light is the first live album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. It was released in May 1987 to document their successful worldwide Once Upon a Time tour, and charted at No. 1 in the UK. The album spawned one chart single release, a live version of "Promised You a Miracle".
Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call is the (double-LP) fourth album by Scottish post-punk band Simple Minds. It was released in September 1981 and was their first to reach a wide international audience. It includes the singles "The American", "Love Song" and "Sweat in Bullet".
Sparkle in the Rain is the sixth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released on 6 February 1984 by record label Virgin in the UK and A&M in the US.
Graffiti Soul is the fifteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in May 2009.
"Promised You a Miracle" is a 1982 song by Scottish band Simple Minds and was released as the first single from their fifth studio album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84). It was the band's first chart hit in the UK, reaching #13 in the UK Singles Chart and charting for 11 weeks. Their previous nine UK singles yielded no Top 40 hits in that country although some had sold well in Scotland.
Big Music is the sixteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. It was released on 31 October 2014 by Sony Music. "Honest Town" was released as the lead single on 10 October 2014. The album was available to stream from 28 October 2014.
Acoustic is the seventeenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in November 2016 by Caroline International. The album features acoustic studio recordings of previously released songs. It received mixed reviews.
Walk Between Worlds is the eighteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in February 2018 by BMG.
Live in the City of Angels is the seventh (double) live album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in early October 2019 to document their largest ever North American tour.
