U.S. rock quartet Kings Of Leon will hope to repeat the international success of its 2003 RCA debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” by releasing the follow-up in the U.K. before its domestic appearance. “A-Ha Shake Heartbreak” will be issued on Hand Me Down via BMG on Nov. 1 in Britain, preceded by the single “Bucket” on Oct. 25. A North American release will follow early next year.
“Manhood” has sold about 500,000 copies in the U.K., and led to two 2004 BRIT Award nominations for best international group and international breakthrough artist.
In the United States, the set debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and has sold more than 117,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Produced again by Ethan Johns and Angelo, “A-Ha Shake Heartbreak” was recorded this summer at Johns’ studio in Los Angeles, and an early listen to several tracks suggests the band’s sound has matured considerably, with less emphasis on its southern rock influences.
Kings Of Leon have returned home to Nashville after a busy summer of European festival performances. A North American tour will begin Oct. 1 in Washington, D.C.
Source billboard.com.
