Three more sleeps until Toyah’s new album Posh Pop is out! Pre-order here.
The album includes Monkeys plus Levitate, Zoom Zoom, Summer Of Love and Space Dance. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Anthems, hope and escapism – it’s all there on the first Toyah album for 13 years!
Release Date: 27th August 2021
Label: Demon Music Group
Formats: CD / CD+DVD / Vinyl / Digital
“Thank you, Toyah, for a great album. And welcome back – we’ve missed you!”
The last time Toyah graced these pages was back in May, when we reviewed the reissue of her 1980 album The Blue Meaning. In that review, we gave a brief a resumé of what Toyah has been up to in recent years, including a mention of the hilarious You Tube postings, Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch (and if you haven’t seen this yet, check it out – it’s unmissable!) and releasing her (until now) most recent album, 2008’s In The Court of the Crimson Queen.
Well… She’s back, and how!! Posh Pop is Toyah’s first album of new material for 13 years, and it’s a blast. Toyah herself is very proud of Posh Pop, considering the album “A career best,” and she could very well be right. It’s a joyful album that draws copiously on Toyah’s glam and punk roots and builds upwards from there; the 80’s synth sound is still around, tempered and enhanced by lots of stunning rock guitar from Toyah’s husband, “Bobby Willcox” and the lyrics are clear and excellent, covering topics as diverse as the lockdown “Zoom Boom,” space exploration, ageing, bereavement, the devastation of war, the fate of humanity and the Beirut explosion. And it all comes enclosed in a wrapper of addictive, anthemic rock and pop.
• Continue reading at At The Barrier. The album is released on Friday. Pre-order Posh Pop here.
There’s now just eight days until the first gig of the Posh Pop Tour!
The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury tweeted: We’re thrilled to be the first venue in the Toyah Posh Pop tour! Tickets are extremely limited so book now to avoid disappointment.
• See the complete Posh Pop Tour dates at toyahwillcox.com.
A very limited number of the Limited Edition space grey vinyl release of Posh Pop, with a signed Toyah print, are available at Amazon UK.
Posh Pop, possibly Toyah’s most eagerly anticipated studio album since Minx, is released on Friday. Toyah considers this a “career best” album.
Posh Pop is a strong collection of infectious and affirmative pop songs that are as joyous as they are reflective, from the cosmic groove of Space Dance, to the sun-kissed anthem of unity Summer Of Love. The album is crafted with evocative storytelling and musicianship from Toyah, Simon Darlow (guitars, keyboards, cello), Bobby Willcox (guitar) and Jeremy Stacey (drums). Posh Pop opens with the energy-burst of Levitate and leads the listener on a journey that climaxes in the soaring, intergalactic-tinged Take Me Home.
• See/Buy the Limited Edition Posh Pop space grey vinyl with signed print at Amazon UK.
A great interview with Toyah on today’s Steve Wright In The Afternoon show on BBC Radio 2. This included plays of two previously unheard songs from Posh Pop.
Toyah talked about the recording process of Posh Pop, what inspired the album, and about loving being back on the road touring, playing festivals and gigs.
There were plays of I Want To Be Free, It’s A Mystery, Levitate, The Bride Will Return, and a short burst of Rhythm In My House at the close of the chat.
Steve enthused about Toyah having such a longtime career yet still releasing such quality music. He also mentioned Toyah’s legendary warehouse, Mayhem!
Toyah also talked about her latest film work, on, the just released, To Be Someone and, the to be released in October, The Ghosts Of Borley Rectory.
• Listen to the show/interview at BBC Sounds. Toyah appears approximately 2hrs 30m into the show. (Photos © Toyah Willcox)
The Posh Pop reviews are beginning…
Toyah – Posh Pop
Released: 27 August 2021
“A body of work that stands amongst the best of her career”.
Toyah embodies the essence of pop music on her latest LP ‘Posh Pop’
The collection was recorded with husband Robert Fripp and co-writer/producer Simon Darlow during lockdown – a theme that underpins each of the 10 tracks.
Opener and lead single Levitate deals with the forced confinement and sees the star rise beyond the realms of the pandemic and reacquaint herself with a world seemingly gone by.
It encompasses the overall theme of the album, which for listeners and as a creative pursuit for Toyah, is about escapism.
While songs like Space Dance and Rhythm In My House are through and through pop numbers, the genius of ‘Posh Pop’ is in the lyrics, which simultaneously reference the world today while remaining timeless.
• Continue reading at Retro Pop. The album is released on Friday. Pre-order Posh Pop here.
Steve Wright In The Afternoon: BBC Radio 2
Tuesday 24th August: 2pm
Toyah and Shaun. New and vintage music, quirky facts and entertainment news. With guests Toyah Willcox and Shaun Evans. Listen to the show live from 2pm here. It will also be available at BBC Sounds/On Demand after broadcast this afternoon.
Robert Fripp Takes Toyah On A Backstage Tour Of King Crimson’s Show In Nashville
“King Crimson in the home of country music; never thought I’d hear that phrase,” Toyah said.
While Robert Fripp is away on tour with King Crimson in the US, he’s been exchanging video postcards with his wife Toyah Willcox online. In his latest video, the guitarist gave a backstage tour of a King Crimson concert before curtains went up.
The footage shot by Fripp was of Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium – the “home of country music” as he described the venue which housed the Grand Ole Opry for three decades, and has seen the likes of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams grace its stage.
• Continue reading at Guitar.com.
The transatlantic touring twosome exchange another video postcard, this one from Robert to Toyah. It’s Postcards Home #8
Toyah guested on Sky News this morning, talking about her new album, Posh Pop, and more. Here are some screen caps from the programme. Click on them to view larger versions. (Thanks to Dean Beadle for the caps).
Toyah is guesting on Steve Wright’s BBC Radio 2 show tomorrow afternoon. The show airs for three hours, beginning at 2pm
With guests Toyah Willcox and Shaun Evans
Toyah’s album is called Posh Pop, and Shaun Evans is starring in the BBC One drama Vigil as well as returning for an 8th series of Endeavour on ITV. Plus there’s Factoids, the Non-Stop Oldies and the latest entertainment and lifestyle news.
• Listen live at the website or post-airing at BBC Sounds.
Toyah unboxes her new album Posh Pop which is released on Friday. Click below to watch. Pre-order the album, which is available on CD, CD+DVD, colour vinyl and download, here. (Screen caps from a video that is © Toyah Willcox)
A Feast of Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Classic Moments & Unseen Bits… Postcards Home #7 – A Love Letter from Robert… (Plus, Postcards Home #8, premiering tomorrow)… Toyah At Home & On The Road – Episode 3… Space Dance – from Toyah’s 2021 studio album “Posh Pop” out on August 27th. (with Simon Darlow and Bobby Willcox…)
• Continue reading at DGM Live.
The transatlantic touring twosome exchange another video postcard, this one a love letter from Robert to Toyah. It’s Postcards Home #7
Kidderminster’s Mr Tee in the Park hailed a success
Around 2000 revellers enjoyed a day filled with fun and live music at the Mr Tee in the Park festival in Kidderminster.
The free event featured punk princess Toyah Willcox as the headliner – who impressed punters in the afternoon. The pop singer, known for her eighties hits It’s a Mystery, I Want to Be Free and Thunder in the Mountains, posed for photographs with star-struck fans.
• Continue reading at the Kidderminster Shuttle.
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: 5Select: Wednesday 1st September: 00.00am
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: 5Select: Saturday 4th September: 10.30pm
1981. Series 1, episode 2. Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker and Clare Grogan are among those recalling the music and memories of 1981. It was a year when Bucks Fizz were losing their skirts, Adam and the Ants were re-inventing the pop video, and synthesizer bands were making it big. However, there was still room in the charts for the retro sound of Shakin’ Stevens. Narrated by Tony Blackburn.
A selection from the new Posh Pop / Space Dance promo at Toyah’s Official Instagram. The video for Space Dance premieres, very soon, here… (Images © Toyah Willcox)
Janice Long’s Ladies With Attitude: NOW 80s:
Monday 23rd August: 11pm
The 25 greatest women in rock and pop from across the decade, whose attitude and strength were never in doubt! Hosted by Radio 1 legend Janice Long.
Seven Inch Heroes: NOW 80s:
Tuesday 24th August: 11.35am/3.30pm
Before the CD, the perfect pop songs were spun by singers & bands on 7 inch vinyl. From 1980-1984 these were the classic UK hits that invaded the world! (NB. This airs sporadically on NOW 80s, sometimes including Toyah!)
Toyah Willcox: the day I found out there was a killer in my family
At 63, the punk icon learned that her grandfather was a murderer. She opens up on how it answered so many questions about her childhood
For all of us, the first lockdown last year was difficult. But for Toyah Willcox, it was unfathomably challenging….
• Continue reading at The Telegraph. A subscription is required to read this interview past the preview. (Photo © The Telegraph)
A fourth song from Posh Pop premieres this morning via a new video. See, and listen to, Space Dance during this morning’s Toyah At Home & On The Road. The video also premieres standalone at midday here.
With the forthcoming premiere of the Space Dance video, there will now have been four songs – Levitate, Zoom Zoom, Summer Of Love, Space Dance – made available from Toyah’s forthcoming studio album, Posh Pop. These songs have all been accompanied by new video premieres – Watch all four at The Official Toyah You Tube Channel. (Images © Toyah Willcox)
Music, chat and more of your questions which this week comes from Toyah as she is on tour away from home… Toyah At Home & On The Road. Look out for an exclusive rendition of Legacy, a 1981 single plus the premiere of the Space Dance video, the fourth and final taste of the Posh Pop album before it is released on 27 August. Premieres 11am on Saturday 21 August 2021.
