‘Rainy Day Afternoon’ (out on 19 September, 2025) is the thirteenth album from The Divine Comedy, and it feels luck is in for Neil Hannon following the top five charting of 2019’s album ‘Office Politics’ and blockbuster success of his soundtrack to the Wonka film.

Neil has been thinking about mortality, memories, relationships and political and social upheaval in recent times. On how these have influenced the new record, Neil says: ‘My musical output is, for better or worse, a representation of my personality.’

The lead single ‘Achilles’ opens the record with a mythical storytelling tilt as Neil talks about how ‘I saw a man this morning trudging through a muddy field’ and how ‘His death will be avenged’ over a baroque sound that somehow combines Scott Walker emotion with Spaghetti Western vibes. ‘The Last Time I Saw the Old Man’ is a heartbreaking slow-burner that pays tribute to someone who is no longer themselves: ‘He was moving very slowly and he didn’t seem to know me. His hands seemed so fragile and grey, I was worried I would break them’.

‘The Man Who Turned Into a Chair’ opens with nostalgic memories about running to feel the wind on his face before moving into a quirkier, Disney-esque space where the title of the song rings true: ‘There’s no return when you’re part of the furniture’. ‘I Want You’ opens with a burst of piano as Neil recalls other people’s dreams and ambitions, from building cities to rocket ships. The thing Neil wants? You.

The title track offers a nod to ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ in its jaunty, upbeat melodies but the words laments what’s happening right now: ‘I try not to fixate on the state of the world. I wonder if one day the doom and gloom will disappear and the man who rules by fear will realise the error of their ways’. Have you ever listened to The Divine Comedy’s ‘Home for the Holidays’? It’s a fantastic festive song and

‘All the Pretty Lights’ follows in its footsteps as Neil recalls sibling arguments over who was more excited about Christmas coming, reminisces about ringing bells and flights down to London where he could see the twinkling lights and the joy of the shops. Before hitting you with the observation ‘childhood’s gone forever. Childish joy remains when I see all the pretty lights.’

‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ adds a touch of psychedelia as Neil invites you down the rabbit hole, while ‘Mar-a-Lago By the Sea’ combines the sound of the sea with a lounge soundtrack. ‘The Heart is a Lonely Hunter’ is another more inward-looking song steeped in romance, with a touch of despair – ‘How far must me wander, how long must me wait?’ – while ‘Can’t Let Go’ is a short and sweet piano interlude with a touch of Randy Newman.

‘Invisible Thread’, Neil’s love letter to daughter Willow filled with the pride he has in who she’s become, closes the album with powerful poignancy: ‘Now, you’re guiding me’. ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’ is a record to soundtrack any day of the week in any weather; it’s another beauty from The Divine Comedy.

The Divine Comedy will play the following dates:

October 2025

Mon 6th Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall

Tue 7th Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall

Wed 8th Bath, Forum

Fri 10th Gateshead, The Glasshouse

Sat 11th London, Barbican

Sun 12th London, Barbican

Mon 13th Brighton, Dome

Wed 15th Cambridge, Corn Exchange

Thu 16th Sheffield, City Hall

Fri 17th Wolverhampton, Uni The Civic Hall

Sat 18th Swansea, Arena

Mon 20th Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall

Tue 21st York, Barbican

Thu 23rd Oxford, New Theatre

Fri 24th Manchester, Bridgewater Hall

Sat 25th Bristol, Beacon