Today, multi-platinum and ARIA Award winning genre-defying Australian artist Illy announces that his seventh studio album ‘Good Life’ will be released Friday 25 October via Warner Music Australia.
Positivity is without a doubt, one of ‘Good Life’s’ strongest motifs throughout the record. It’s an album that has been constructed around Illy’s desire to take risks and push outside his comfort zone, with a shared experience of overcoming hardship that feels ultimately universal. Featuring 14 tracks, including recent single Stubborn, the album has seen Illy work with a number of key players, namely producers Xavier Dunn and Kuren.
‘Good Life’ is unafraid to balance moments of vulnerability (Brave Heart, You Don’t Like Me), with moments of heady emotion and pure euphoria (Closer, Rings, You Lying). An overarching theme of clarity that comes from overcoming pressure and obstacles – both self-imposed and imposed upon you – is one that the album navigates with fun and wit.
“I’ll get to the point – Good Life is coming from the most fully formed Illy, the artist, to date. Some of the most intense moments and emotions of my life, good and bad, happened while making this album. How can I not love every single song on it?! I fought for each of them, sometimes for years, sometimes when outvoted, and sometimes with myself, all over the world, with the help of a lot of great people. It’s so fitting that after all that time, heart and soul, I’m left with Good Life as a reminder of it.” says Illy of the album.
He has also today shared the nostalgia-leaning title track Good Life which was co-written and produced by Johnny Took from DMA’s. Capturing the album’s theme of overcoming hardships and finding positivity from the people around you, this feels like an immediate anthem in Illy’s discography.
“The saying “the good life” paints a picture of easy streets, white picket fences and blue skies. F*ck that. The real “Good Life” is in belief – knowing who you are, taking your lumps and hard times, pushing forward, proving people (sometimes yourself) wrong, and seeing it through. The last few years have battered me, I can’t lie. But Australia has given me a lot, and this is a love song to Australia, Australian hip hop and rock and roll, and the deeply Australian ‘never say die’ spirit that got me through”.
Alongside the album announcement, Illy has also revealed today he will be hitting the road for a headline Australian tour this November. The ‘Good Life’ Australian Tour kicks off in Sydney at The Metro Theatre on Friday 8 November, before heading to Brisbane at The Princess Theatre on Saturday 9 November, Melbourne at 170 Russell on Friday 15 November, and wrapping up in Adelaide at The Gov on Thursday 21 November. Tickets are on sale now. This capital city tour follows a mammoth 25 date regional tour which took him all around Australia in late 2023.
“I can’t wait to be back on stages playing Good Life. Seriously, cannot. The entirety of the album process was spent with “how does it make sense live?” at the front of mind. The new songs work so well with the classics, and we are going to leave everything out on stage”.
Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip hop and pop throughout his decorated career, embracing new sonic inspirations across each of his six critically acclaimed studio albums. After receiving his third ARIA nomination for 2013 record ‘Cinematic’ – home to 3x platinum single and fan-favourite Tightrope – Illy’s follow up project ‘Two Degrees’ (2016) shot to #1 on the ARIA charts, featuring multi-platinum collaborations Papercuts feat. Vera Blue (5x), and Catch 22 feat. Anne-Marie (3x). 2021’s The Space Between marked Illy’s second ARIA #1 album, with lead single “Then What” ticking over to 2x ARIA platinum. An ARIA Award winner for Best Live Act, Illy has performed at high profile festivals including Falls Festival, Splendour In The Grass, Snow Machine, and Spilt Milk. In 2023, his “Ausmusic Medley” reached #12 in triple j’s Hottest 100 of Like A Version.
‘GOOD LIFE’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR
FULL TICKET DETAILS HERE
Friday 8 November – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 9 November – The Princess Theatre, Brisbane
Friday 15 November – 170 Russell, Melbourne
Thursday 21 November – The Gov, Adelaide
Good Life IS OUT NOW
‘Good Life’ will be released on October 25 – PRE-SAVE HERE
With thanks to Warner Music Australia