Labi Siffre Announces First Album in 28 Years & New Song “Far Away”

At February 16, 2026, Labi Siffre, the 80-year-old British singer, songwriter, and poet, announced Unfinished Business, his first new studio album in 28 years. The album is slated for release later this year via Demon Music Group, and is preceded by the release of the single “Far Away,” a piano-driven ballad that showcases Siffre’s enduring soul influences.

Siffre’s career has been characterized by periods of intense creativity followed by extended pauses. He released six albums between 1970 and 1975, including the critically acclaimed Crying Laughing Loving Lying, before stepping back from recording. He returned to release further albums in the 1980s and 1990s, with his last full-length release, The Last Songs, and a spoken-word poetry collection, Monument, both arriving in 1998.

While largely out of the spotlight for decades, Siffre hasn’t been entirely inactive. He released the single “(Love Is Love Is Love) Why Isn’t Love Enough?” in 2020. More recently, a 2022 BBC documentary, Labi Siffre: This Is My Song, featured a performance of “Far Away,” though the song wasn’t officially released until today. He also made a rare live appearance in the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room, accompanied by the BBC Radio Orchestra, performing “My Song,” “Far Away,” and a cover of The Four Tops’ “Baby I Need Your Loving.”

The resurgence of interest in Siffre’s work appears to be a key factor in his return. His music has experienced a renewed presence in popular culture through sync licensing in films like The Holdovers and Sentimental Value. This increased visibility prompted the launch of official YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok channels for his music in 2024, alongside new interviews and restored video content. Demon Music Group also released a Best Of collection of his work that same year.

Siffre’s impact extends beyond his own recordings. His song “It Must Be Love” became a hit for Madness after its initial release in 1972, and his powerful anti-apartheid protest song, “(Something Inside) So Strong,” reached number four on the UK charts in 1987, earning him an Ivor Novello Award. His work has also been sampled by prominent artists like Dr. Dre (on Eminem’s “My Name Is”) and Kanye West (on “I Wonder”).

The renewed attention also has roots in a younger generation discovering his music. Stereogum notes that his 1972 hit, “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying,” featured in The Holdovers, and was subsequently covered by Miley Cyrus at LA’s Chateau Marmont and mxmtoon for Track Star, contributing to his growing presence on platforms like TikTok.

Siffre’s career is a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful songwriting and artistic integrity. After decades of relative quiet, he returns with Unfinished Business, offering a new chapter for a musician whose work continues to resonate with audiences across generations. The album promises to be a significant event for fans and a compelling introduction for those discovering his music for the first time.