The Darkness released one of the greatest debut albums of the ’00s with Permission to Land but have struggled to match it ever since. It’s looking like they may finally have a worthy successor with their eighth album, Dreams on Toast, which is out March 28.
First single “The Longest Kiss” was a real return to form, owing more than a little to Queen and Sparks, and they’ve just shared a second song which is another gem. “I Hate Myself” is a revved-up glammy ripper that falls somewhere between The Undertones and Thin Lizzy and is exuberant fun despite lyrics like “There goes a girl who only saw me, not my influence or my wealth / There goes the only human being I have ever loved more than I hate myself.”
“At last, a joyous, raucous celebration of self-loathing,” says frontman Justin Hawkins. “I think without regrets we stand to learn less from our experiences – to deny them and compartmentalise them is to deny ourselves an opportunity to grow. So, it’s time for us to sing this uplifting ode to remorse in the hope that we don’t make the same mistakes again and history does not repeat itself.”
It’s terrific and has me genuinely excited for the new album. You can watch the in-studio video for it below. And as it’s the holidays, why not take in video for The Darkness’ over-the-top 2003 single “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)” as well.
Full details of Dreams on Toast are still forthcoming, but you can preorder it all the same. The Darkness are doing a run of Rough Trade in-stores across the UK this week and have spring and summer dates in the UK and Europe lined up through the summer. Check out their full itinerary below.
The Darkness – 2025 Tour Dates
Tue, DEC 10 – Rough Trade East – London, United Kingdom
Tue, DEC 10 – Rough Trade East – London, United Kingdom
Wed, DEC 11 – Rough Trade Nottingham – Nottingham, United Kingdom
Wed, DEC 11 – Rough Trade Nottingham – Nottingham, United Kingdom
Thu, DEC 12 – Rough Trade Liverpool – Liverpool, United Kingdom
Thu, DEC 12 – Rough Trade Liverpool – Liverpool, United Kingdom
Thu, MAR 6, 2025 – Ipswich Regent Theatre – Ipswich, United Kingdom
Fri, MAR 7, 2025 – Regents Theatre – Ipswich, United Kingdom
Sat, MAR 8, 2025 – New Theatre – Oxford, United Kingdom
Sun, MAR 9, 2025 – Arena – Swansea, United Kingdom
Tue, MAR 11, 2025 – G Live – Guildford, United Kingdom
Wed, MAR 12, 2025 – Connexin Arena – Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom
Fri, MAR 14, 2025 – Mountford Hall – Liverpool, United Kingdom
Sat, MAR 15, 2025 – Wolverhampton Civic Hall – Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Mon, MAR 17, 2025 – York Barbican – York, United Kingdom
Tue, MAR 18, 2025 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Thu, MAR 20, 2025 – The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – Glasgow, United Kingdom
Fri, MAR 21, 2025 – O2 City Hall Newcastle – Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Fri, MAR 21, 2025 – City Hall – Newcastle, United Kingdom
Sat, MAR 22, 2025 – O2 Apollo Manchester – Manchester, United Kingdom
Mon, MAR 24, 2025 – Beacon Theatre – Bristol, United Kingdom
Tue, MAR 25, 2025 – Guildhall Studio – Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Thu, MAR 27, 2025 – De Montford Hall – Leicester, United Kingdom
Fri, MAR 28, 2025 – Cambridge Corn Exchange – Cambridge, United Kingdom
Sat, MAR 29, 2025 – OVO Arena Wembley – London, United Kingdom
Jun. 13 – 15, 2025 – Download Festival 2025 – Derby, United Kingdom
Sat, AUG 2, 2025 – Festival di Majano – Majano, Italy
Sat, AUG 9, 2025 – Custom House Square – Belfast, United Kingdom