Labi Siffre, the legendary British musician and poet, is returning to the spotlight at the age of 80, according to pitchfork.com. The folk and soul icon has announced “Unfinished Business,” his first studio album in nearly three decades, set for release later this year via Demon Music Group.
To mark the announcement, Siffre has released the lead single, “Far Away”. The track is a poignant piano ballad that showcases his signature soulful vocals; a voice that remains remarkably undiminished by time. A new music video for the single has also been unveiled.
Siffre’s career has been defined by long periods of quiet. After a prolific run in the 1970s, which produced the classic LP Crying Laughing Loving Lying, he retired, only to return briefly in the 80s and 90s. His last full-length projects, The Last Songs and the poetry collection Monument, both arrived in 1998.
While he released a one-off single in 2020, this new album marks his most significant comeback this century. The resurgence follows a wave of renewed interest in his catalogue.
In a rare public outing, Siffre recently appeared in the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room. Accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, he performed “Far Away,” his classic “My Song,” and a moving cover of the Four Tops’ “Baby I Need Your Loving.”
Fans can also look forward to a special 2LP expanded edition of Crying Laughing Loving Lying, scheduled for release on Record Store Day 2026.
•Featured image: Labi Siffre/David Redfern/Getty Images
