Other is the ninth studio album by English singer-songwriter Alison Moyet, released on 16 June 2017, by Cooking Vinyl.[12]
It is her first album of new material since 2013's The Minutes, which saw her returning to her electronic music roots.
Background
On the subject of the album and specifically the meaning of the title Other, Moyet stated, "For me, making a record at this age, lyrically, is a different proposition. Observation in most cases replaces emotion. The invisibility of middle/aged woman rather thrills me and instead I watch.
Subject matter covers what you might expect from a pop album. Dyslexia, locked-out syndrome, diversity, Persephone, doggedness and the Internet. Always asked what a song is about, I attempted to cooperate, but in truth though the lyrics incorporated my best attempt to describe what I see and of the meaning that is mine. I want, who chooses to, to find their own landscape or indeed none. Some of us have always felt 'Other'. I no longer wish it were otherwise.”[13]
In July 2013, Moyet revealed that she had begun writing new material for the follow-up to her eighth studio album, The Minutes.[14] Studio sessions commenced in October 2016. She previewed a new song, "Other", from the then yet-to-be-titled-album, live at The Lexington for Cooking Vinyl's 30th Anniversary event on 5 December 2016.[15]
On 17 March 2017, Moyet and her team revealed the title of the album as Other, along with describing it as an 'intelligent, adventurous electronic pop,' co-produced by Guy Sigsworth.[12] The album became available to purchase for pre-release, along with the album's title track.[12] A music video for "Other" was uploaded to Moyet's YouTube account.[16]
A music video for "The Rarest Birds", directed by Steve Gullick, premiered on 20 July 2017. The video was filmed in Brighton and features her daughter Caitlin Ballard. On the song, Moyet states, "The Rarest Birds is a paean to LGBTQ, to Brighton, to coming out after the darkest nights into the arms of those that delight in your flight. From me to you."[18] Moyet performed the song live on The Graham Norton Show.[19] The track was first previewed on Norton's radio show, 3 June 2017.[citation needed]
Promotion
The Other Tour
From September through December 2017, Moyet embarked on her first world tour in 30 years[17] in support of the album, The Other Tour.[20] Recordings from the tour were released on The Other Live Collection.