UNKLE Heads Out to the Highway

Although UNKLE has been whittled down to the sole constant of founding member James Lavelle, its albums still always boast a colorful cross-section of guest vocalists and musicians. And the latest, The Road: Part II/Lost Highway (March 29 via Songs for the Deaf), is no exception. Frequent collaborators Leila Moss (The Duke Spirit), Mark Lanegan and Ian Astbury are aboard in various capacities for this one, joined by Mick Jones (The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite), Tom Smith (The Editors), Miink, The Big Pink, Elliott Power and others.

Largely recorded during sessions for 2017’s The Road, Lavelle says he considers it more of an eclectic mixtape and “the mid-part of a trilogy. The first record is like you’re leaving home; you’re naïve and on a journey of discovery. There are elements of my early days in there, as well as a bit of everything since… This record is the journey. You’re on the road, out there in the world. There are let downs, highs, lows, love, loss and experiences. The third record to come is basically about coming home; wherever that may be.”