Release The Stars

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.