For an artist as consistent as Spiritualized’s Jason Spaceman, whose 7th studio album Sweet Heart Sweet Light will see its release on Fat Possum, it’s easy to assume that there’s a certain effortlessness to the creative process. In fact, the three years since the release of 2008’s acclaimed Songs in A&E were some of the roughest imaginable for Jason.

After a near death from double pneumonia in 2005 it was a slow road to recovery, a process he touched upon on with great grace on the last album. His return to full health saw him release Songs in A&E and mount critically lauded performances of his 1997 game-changer Ladies And Gentlemen….We Are Floating In Space on both sides of the Atlantic.

However, shortly after recording Sweet Heart Sweet Light in far flung locales such as Los Angeles, Reykavik and Wales, Jason found himself weakened by a degenerative liver disease and was subjected to six months of chemo treatment, a procedure that left him virtually housebound while he mixed the album.

In a classic case of triumph over tribulation, the resulting album is Spiritualized at their most vibrant; full voiced and utterly sublime. In Jason Spaceman’s orbit rock and roll is the salve and listeners will hear all of the epic grandiosity and brain worming melodies for which they’re renowned, as well as the gorgeous gospel delium that makes hearing a new Spiritualized album an exhilarating and emotional experience.

“Hey Jane,” an energetic 8+ minutes of rousing organ, glittering guitar fuzz and swirling choirs, is first the single and indication that new album Sweet Heart Sweet Light is another epic body of work from the anthemic master. It’s been three years in the making for renowned perfectionist Jason Spaceman and the resulting music captured in this first single, showcases them at their most vibrant and sublime.

The album also features a first for Spiritualized: Jason is joined by his 11 year old daughter Poppy Spaceman on the starkly beautiful “So Long You Pretty Thing” for which she also has a writing credit for the opening couplet.  Elsewhere on the album is “I Am What I Am” which was co-written by Jason and “Mac” Rebennack aka Dr. John.

1. Huh? (Intro)
2. Hey Jane
3. Little Girl
4. Get What You Deserve
5. Too Late
6. Headin’ for the Top Now
7. Freedom
8. I Am What I Am
9. Mary
10. Life is a Problem
11. So Long You Pretty Thing