Madness announce new album Theatre of the Absurd Presents C'est la Vie

The group's 13th studio LP is coming in November

Camden Town legends Madness have announced that they will release their 13th studio album, Theatre of the Absurd presents C'est la Vie, on November 17.

The album is their first since 2016's Can't Touch Us Now, which peaked at Number 5 on the Official Albums Chart. Self-produced by the pioneering ska-pop band, Theatre Of the Absurd presents C'est la Vie was written with the governing principle: “Let Madness be Madness."

Along with the announcement, Madness have shared the album's lead single C’est la Vie. Rather iconically, the band have recruited Dame Helen Mirren to give a dramatic reading of its lyrics.

"C'est La Vie” has long been the prime suspect for first single from our new album.
It seemed only right to ask royalty to proof read the lyrics for us.
You (and Dame Helen), will be able to hear the song on Thursday, and this afternoon, you'll be able pre-order our new album! pic.twitter.com/h2K8YM5z0B
— Madness (@MadnessNews) September 27, 2023

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Madness say of the album in a press release: "Well, well, well, here we are.. Our thirteenth album (lucky for some) Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est la Vie is ready for your ears. For us, recording it was the perfect antidote to the chaos of the past few years - we were all there, properly in the zone. It was just us, in an industrial unit in Cricklewood, playing together. We loved it!"