With Necessary Fictions, GoGo Penguin has released a bold and introspective seventh album. The Manchester trio—Chris Illingworth (piano), Nick Blacka (bass), and Jon Scott (drums)—explores new textures, notably through modular synthesizers, while returning to the essence of their musical language. “We wanted to do something sincere, without trying to please,” says Nick.

Tracks such as Naga Ghost and Silence Speaks illustrate this subtle shift between acoustic and electronic. For the first time, the band has invited collaborators: the strings of the Manchester Collective, conducted by Rakhi Singh, and the poignant voice of Daudi Matsiko on Forgive The Damages. “It was obvious that he had to sing this song,” says Chris.

Recorded in a studio transformed into an inspirational cocoon, the album reflects a period of transition: a new line-up, bereavements, but also a kind of rebirth. The title is inspired by James Hollis’s The Middle Passage and its concept of the “shadow self.”

Thirteen years after their debut, GoGo Penguin continues on its path with maturity, exploring new sounds while remaining true to its identity. An inner journey that is bright and peaceful.