On the back of the crazy success of their last album – the 2021’s #4 ARIA Album charting I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken – the Hard-Ons today announce the June 2 release date of their new album, Ripper ’23, as well as the April 20 release of the album’s first single Apartment for Two. They’ve also announced their Ripper ’23 tour, which will take place June 22-July 8, in between the album’s release and their 20th European tour.
While I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken was the first record made by the band’s current line-up, Ripper ’23 – their 14th studio album – is the first one made from start to finish by the current line-up. New kid/old fan Tim Rogers came on board when most of the songs were already written last time; this time he’s been involved from the start.
Ripper ’23 is 100% Hard-Ons though, which means that, like the cheap and nasty TV-advertised ’70s hits compilation the album takes its title and cover art inspiration from, it is all over the shop (in a good way), highlighting the group’s stylistic versatility. From the punky attack of first single Apartment For Two to the big balls riffing of In Falls Everything, the record is shot through with big hooks and a surging sonic power along with some sweet production touches.
