The Pretenders have released "Let the Sun Come In," the first single off their new album, Relentless, which will come out on September 1st.
Chrissie Hynde says of the album's title, “I enjoy seeing the various meanings and origins of a word. And I liked the definition: ‘showing no abatement of intensity.’ So when it came to an album title, it seemed fitting. You know…to keep doing it. I think anyone in a band is constantly questioning if they should keep going. It starts as a youthful pursuit and eventually, it makes you wonder, why am I doing this? It’s the life of the artist. You never retire. You become relentless.”
Helping out on the album is Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood. Chrissie says, “I met Jonny a couple of times and we’re obviously big fans of him because he’s done some incredible music over the years. I saw him at the Phantom Thread premiere, where the film was running on screen with a live orchestra playing. And we spoke afterward and he expressed an interest in doing something one day. I was thrilled and very surprised."
The new album, their first since 2020's Hate for Sale, marks a return to Warner Music Group after more than two decades.
The Pretenders start a tour tomorrow (Friday) in Brighton, England. It will include dates opening for Guns n' Roses, as well as festival appearances.