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The Who guitarist Pete Townshend says the band is “about two-thirds” done with their upcoming studio album, which he thinks will be “really great.”
During a recent press event held at London’s Wembley Stadium, Townshend — along with The Who frontman Roger Daltrey — told the U.K.’s Absolute Radio that he’s written “some good songs” that focus on current themes, including “homelessness…the fishing industry [and] the way that men might have to change in the future…after the ‘Me Too’ thing.”
The 73-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer also reports that a few guests may be asked to contribute to the record, such as “a female vocalist” or “a rapper.”
Daltrey, meanwhile, tells Absolute Radio that it can be challenging for him to come up with a unique way to present the songs Townshend writes.
“I have to climb into the words he’s written and the way he performs them on his demos,” Roger notes, “but then I have to think, ‘Well, how do I put this suit of clothes and make it mine and make it breathe in [a way that’s] comfortable for me?’ And that can be quite a painful process sometimes.”
Having said that, Daltrey declares that Townshend has “still got that ability to write those songs that get in your ear like an earworm, and go ’round and ’round and ’round.”
Roger also reveals that The Who decided to play with orchestral accompaniment on their upcoming Moving On! tour because he had “a magical experience” performing Tommy last year with orchestras during his solo trek. He says performing with an orchestra will “give the music it’s best possible chance to be elevated to a new position.”
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