“If we’re going out, we’re going out loud!” Roxanne de Bastion has announced Here Lies Human, a ten-track album considering humanity’s beauty, strangeness and talent for getting itself into trouble. It arrives on 12th February 2027, with an eight-date UK tour following in March and April.
The announcement accompanies ‘Apocalypse Queen’, out now. Tony Visconti produced the single, one of two album songs Roxanne recorded with him during ten days in Brooklyn and Manhattan. She recorded the remaining eight tracks in London with Steph Marziano.
More on Roxanne de Bastion
We have enjoyed Roxanne’s recent move towards rock, so this is welcome news. Our coverage of ‘Simple Pleasures’ followed its driving synths, angular guitars and satire about consumption and automation. Its place on the new album connects those concerns with a wider examination of what people create, damage and leave behind.
Here Lies Human addresses technological and political tyranny, alongside commercial progress which threatens the natural world. Roxanne approaches the subject with affection as well as criticism. The record considers a species capable of beauty and ingenuity while repeatedly contributing to its own downfall.
Roxanne wanted the recordings to capture the energy of her live performances. This ambition took her to New York to work with Tony, whose production history includes David Bowie and T. Rex. She describes their collaboration as “magical”.
The sessions included Human Studios, where Bowie recorded Blackstar. Roxanne recalls Brooklyn’s industrial surroundings fitting the apocalyptic theme. She also enjoyed sharing stories between takes.
“It was a moment when everything came together for me in the most beautiful way,” she says. “The energy of the city provided the perfect backdrop.”
Ten songs and eight UK dates
On ‘Apocalypse Queen’, Tony contributes bass and backing vocals alongside his production. Saxophonist Donny McCaslin, guitarist Gerry Leonard and drummer Gunnar Olsen also participate, with Kevin Killen working as engineer. Donny led the band on Blackstar, while Gerry’s collaborators include Suzanne Vega and Rufus Wainwright.
Meanwhile, Steph’s production credits include Hayley Williams, Picture Parlour, jasmine.4.t and Nell Mescal.
The album’s ten tracks are:
- ‘Here Lies Human’
- ‘Simple Pleasures’
- ‘Apocalypse Queen’
- ‘This Is How The World Ends’
- ‘Biometrics’
- ‘So Long Forever’
- ‘Vitamin Happy’
- ‘New Town’
- ‘Miracle’
- ‘Becoming’
The album follows Heirlooms & Hearsay and You & Me, We Are The Same, alongside Roxanne’s work on The Piano Player of Budapest. The book explores her family history and the music of her grandfather, Stephen de Bastion.
Roxanne will take the new songs across the UK in spring. The tour begins at Brighton’s Folklore on 15th March 2027, with six March shows before April dates in London and Cambridge. Tickets for all eight dates go on sale at 10am on 15th October 2026.
- 15th March 2027: Brighton, Folklore
- 17th March 2027: Bristol, Exchange
- 18th March 2027: Manchester, YES Basement
- 19th March 2027: Liverpool, Kazimier Stockroom
- 23rd March 2027: Glasgow, Hug & Pint
- 24th March 2027: Newcastle, The Cumberland
- 21st April 2027: London, Lower Third
- 22nd April 2027: Cambridge, Portland Arms
Visit Roxanne’s official website for album pre-orders and tour links, watch ‘Apocalypse Queen’, or follow her on Instagram.
Tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.