Pulp confirms Rough Trade record deal as band feel ‘great’ about new contract

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Pulp has signed a record deal with Rough Trade Records after thirty years of working with the retail chain.

A post from the band confirmed the news, inspiring hopes of a new album from the legendary group. Their statement reads: “Rough Trade have managed Pulp for over 30 years so it feels great to be finally on the label. We did it!”

Pulp’s record deal signing with Rough Trade comes just two years after the band reunited for the Encore tour where they later debuted unreleased material, sparking hopes of a new album.

The band’s reunion tour kicked off at Bridlington Spa in 2022, but it was not until a second show at Sheffield Utilita Arena that a first hint of new material was seen. Cocker and keyboardist Candida Doyle shared the spotlight in show closer Hymn of the North, a song written by Cocker for a Simon Stephens play, Light Falls at the Manchester Royal Exchange.

Four months later the band debuted new song Background Noise to the Corona Capitol crowd, and at their final European show of 2024 in Helsinki, the band were joined by Richard Hawley for a rendition of A Sunset. Cocker and Hawley wrote the song, performing it at a string of gigs the latter musician hosted in his bid to help save The Leadmill, Sheffield’s legendary venue.

Their U.S. tour also provided a litany of new songs including My Sex, Farmer’s Market, Got to Have Love and Spike Island.

Drummer Nick Banks and Cocker had previously downplayed the chance of new material but debuting new songs and extending their initial run of reunion shows seems to have changed their minds. After You, the band’s 2013 single, remains their newest released song for now.

Produced by James Murphy and released on Christmas Day, the song was ripped from We Love Life sessions in a partly finished state and carried through to completion towards the end of the band’s first reunion. Said reunion saw performances at Coachella, Sheffield Utilita and Glastonbury Festival, with Russell Senior and the late Steve Mackey also returning.

Pulp is set to play a string of dates next year, starting with Rockin’ on Sonic in Japan. UK and European dates in 2025 are also available, with the band playing Bilbao’s BBK and Sheffield’s Tramlines festival.