The fifth full length album from the prolific Canadian-American singer-songwriter is the follow up to 2004's critically acclaimed 'Want Two'. Executively produced by Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant, 'Release The Stars' sees Wainwright striving to mature as a composer and performer, yet the album still retains his trademark musical mixture of unsurpassed grandeur and haunting simplicity. Features guest appearances from Richard Thompson, Joan As Policewoman and Sian Phillips.

Mar 2007

Rufus Wainwright is back with what is undoubtedly one of the albums of 2007. The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter returns on May 14th with his eagerly awaited new studio LP 'Release The Stars' – a 12-track masterclass in songwriting and production, his first new material since 2005's remarkable 'Want Two'.

'Release the Stars' is the fifth Rufus Wainwright album and the first that he has produced himself. All songs are written by Rufus. Neil Tennant is the executive producer while long-time collaborators Marius de Vries and Andy Bradfield sprinkled magic dust over the tracks in the mix.

The album bears all the hallmarks of this highly original artist while the material ranges from meticulously layered, richly textured songs to a more intimate stripped down sound. Special guests include guitarist Richard Thompson, Joan Wasser, actress Sîan Phillips (spoken word on 'Between My Legs'), Neil Tennant (backing vocals on 'Tiergarten' and 'Sanssouci'), his sister Martha (backing vocals on 'Do I Disappoint You') and Teddy Thompson (backing vocals on 'Tiergarten')

Some of the many highlights include the haunting ache of 'Do I Disappoint You', the politically charged 'Going to A Town', the restless romance of 'I'm Not Ready For Love', the electro pop of 'Rules and Regulations' and the magnificently epic title track.

As ever, Rufus' vivid lyrics are integral to the album's charm. An opulent, sophisticated LP recorded between New York, London and Berlin, it's a welcome return for the artist who's widely regarded as one of the most respected and innovative performers of his generation. For Rufus Wainwright, the time is now.

Although Rufus Wainwright is the son of singer-songwriters Loudon Wainwright and Kate McGarrigle, since the 1990s he has firmly established his own musical presence. Though he's an introspective troubadour, he looks back beyond the folk and rock influences of his parents to the golden age of pop songwriting  la Cole Porter and the Gershwins. His keening, diva-manqu vocals and elegantly melodic compositions are as far from "rock" as any pop-based music can be. If he has any antecedents in the pop world, they would be similarly quirky L.A. songwriters of a previous era such as Van Dyke Parks (who co-produced Wainwright's debut album) and Randy Newman. His open homosexuality has endeared him to many in the gay community.