Du Blonde announces debut album Welcome Back To Milk

Speaking about her transformation, Houghton said:

“When I was a kid, my idea of being a musician came from all these big characters – Bowie, Bolan, Beefheart... I had this moment in front of all these chapters of his life: this is what I want to do and I haven't done it for all of these years. All this stuff that was really important to me in the beginning, all of the creativity, emotional expulsion, I’d just lost all of that. It was such a sad moment, but also good – because you can't change it unless you realise.”

Explaining the album, she added:

“What am I pissed off about? In no particular order: the free wheeling judgement of faceless accusers online, every man and his dog giving me advice on how to live my life, what to wear, what not to say, how to write songs. Being asked if I’m on my period in business meetings. Being told to ‘just deal with’ misogyny. It’s clear that the message for young girls, in music, business and relationships, is still ‘shut up, do what you’re told and be thankful’.”

Samuel T. Herring, the enigmatic frontman of Future Islands, lends his vocals to "Mind Is On My Mind".

Welcome Back To Milk is released 18 May by Mute, on vinyl, CD, download and cassette. There are also a variety of pre-order bonus editions, which can include: signed copies, various different artworks, hand crafted merkins and more. To find out more about bespoke genital wigs and the like, trundle on to this here pre-order store.

Houghton has also announced a new UK tour; tickets for all shows are available now, except the London 100 Club, which is on sale from 10am on 20 March.

Stream lead single "Black Flag" below, and then check out the LP's tracklist afterwards.

Tracklist:

1. Black Flag
2. Chips To Go
3. Raw Honey
4. After The Show
5. If You're Legal
6. Hunter
7. Hard To Please
8. What Is It Like
9. Mr. Hyde
10. Four In The Morning
11. Mind Is On My Mind (ft. Samuel T. Herring)
12. Isn't It Wild

June

3 - BRIGHTON GREEN DOOR STORE
4 - LONDON 100 CLUB
5 - LEEDS BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB
6 - BRISTOL LOUISIANA
7 - NOTTINGHAM THE BODEGA
9 - MANCHESTER DEAF INSTITUTE
10 - GLASGOW BROADCAST
11 - NEWCASTLE THE CLUNY

July

24 - THIRSK, DEER SHED FESTIVAL