Liverpool’s Ian Prowse Announces New Album – ‘No Names’

by Glenn Sargeant | May 27, 2026

Having spent over 30 years making music to widespread critical acclaim Merseyside hero Ian Prowse announces his brand-new album, ‘No Names,’ arriving July 3rd via Learpholl Music.

Twelve albums in and Ian Prowse hasn’t softened, he’s sharpened. ‘No Names’ brings together guests like Elvis Costello, Steve Wickham, Damien Dempsey and Rosalita Prowse, Ian’s 14-year-old daughter, for his most focused collection yet: strikingly sharp social commentary politically committed and gloriously melodic.

“It’s rock, it’s roll, it’s Celtic soul,” says Ian. “For some fans this one will be the best yet – it’s got a bit of everything. Half the songs address the wider world; radical hope, protest songs if you like. The other half map out where my emotional life and memories are at in 2026. Just like Lennon used to.”

The album starts as it means to go on, opening with ‘To The Letter,’ a pointed rant at those using revolutionary chic to gain attention – setting the tone for an album that refuses to look away. Lead single ‘Keynote Speech’ is a rollicking, communal singalong built around a sax solo and a chanting chorus of “Enough is Enough” – a rallying cry against societal injustice, and one that couldn’t feel more timely.

‘Rendezvous Point’ features vocals from Ian’s daughter Rosalita plus Steve Wickham from The Waterboys providing the swing while The Cleaner brings in the unmistakable voice of Elvis Costello. “My mum was a cleaner, they’re on the frontline in the class war. Obviously there’s 2 different types of ‘rising up’ at play during the song” says Ian. “Elvis’s familiar crooning sneer is just what the doctor ordered.”

Elsewhere the poignant ‘Stand Your Ground’ is an anthem of friendship, love & defiance against old age whilst title track ‘No Names’ is Ian’s unflinching ‘song of the street’. Ian explains: “There’s the official law of the land and the law of the jungle. You can’t live in a place like where I’m from and be out and about and not be touched by it. Violence will erupt around you or on you sooner or later.”

Other highlights include ‘Born In A Merry Hour’ that celebrates the strange times of lockdowns and the Latin flavoured ‘Black Messiah’ which continues Ian’s tradition of writing songs in honour of those history should never forget. Having previously paid tribute to Dessie Warren, Diego Maradona, Che Guevara and Grace Gifford here he turns his attention to Fred Hampton – the Black Panther murdered by the US government, aged just 21.

And don’t miss ‘When Bobby Was Alive’ – a folk-rock duet with Irish legend Damien Dempsey – written about the life of Irish republican prisoner Bobby Sands whose death on hunger strike in 1981, became a defining moment of the Northern Ireland conflict. The song examines his life in three parts: with the final eulogy sung by Cavan singer Fiona McConnell bringing together his deep effect on the Irish psyche.

Thirty years into his career, Ian Prowse is as outspoken, as compassionate and as musically sharp as he’s ever been. ‘No Names’ is the sound of an artist with plenty left to say and more than enough songs to say it with.

TRACKLISTING:

1. To The Letter
2. Keynote Speech
3. Rendezvous Point
4.The Cleaner
5.Stand Your Ground
6. No Names
7. Born In A Merry Hour
8. Mo’s Wheel
9. Black Messiah
10. When Bobby Was Alive
11. 300 Miles

Produced by Paul Thompson & Ian Prowse

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Measure PR

Ian Prowse’s new album ‘No Names’ is released on Friday 3rd July 2026 via Learpholl Music.

To pre-order the new album and for live dates visit: https://amsterdam-music.com/