Declan McKenna says 'parents might not like new album'

Declan McKenna said having a number one album would be "great"

Musician Declan McKenna has admitted he does not know what his parents will think of his "different" new album.

The 25-year-old, who has released his third album, started making music as a teenager at his parents' house in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.

He said: "I don't know what my parents will make of this record, I think they will like it because it's me.

"It's definitely different, it's not the kind of thing that my dad would sit down and listen to all the time."

He said some of the ideas he included in the album are "on the slightly weirder side".

"Tracks on the album aren't necessarily full classic songs, it's a bit more free roaming and it isn't grounded in a specific story or narrative," he said.

The singer said he prefers connecting with his audience through live shows

McKenna's first single, Brazil, was recorded at his childhood home and released in 2015 by the then 16-year-old.

He said he was "grateful" for the track, which continues to introduce new fans to his music.

It went viral on TikTok in 2022 and was certified platinum in 2023, having achieved 600,000 sales.

"Every festival I play, we are guaranteed this one moment when the crowd goes wild... it's a powerful tune for whatever reason," he said.

The 25-year-old is touring cities across the UK and Europe between now and the summer

The new album, What Happened to the Beach?, was recorded in California with producer Gianluca Buccellati, who has also worked with Arlo Parks.

McKenna said the two began working in Buccellati's living room, with some of the early demos they had recorded remaining intact on the finished album.

"It's different from the other records, in the respect it has this more intimate, slightly more relaxed sound."

Comparing his albums, McKenna said that "each one has been different for me".

"I just want music that's got my name on it to be whatever I'm drawn to at that given time."

The Rolling Stones beat Declan McKenna to the top of the album charts in 2020

In 2020, McKenna's second album 'Zeros' reached number 2 in the Official Charts, only 800 sales behind The Rolling Stones' re-issue of their 1973 album, Goats Head Soup.

Missing out on the top spot has not deterred McKenna for going for it again.

"Thankfully, the Rolling Stones have already released their album, I had a listen to it and I wasn't the biggest fan."

McKenna said what he learnt from that experience was how "people discover songs way after they get released".

The singer said he prefers connecting with his audience through live shows.

"The number one [album] would be great, but I'm not going to be an extra 10% happy if I get one."

"You never know though, I've never had a number one."