The Specials Announce First Album of New Music in 20 Years

Trey Alston
Updated
The first new Specials record to feature vocalist Terry Hall since “Ghost Town”

The Specials have announced a new album called Encore—their first album of new material in two decades. It’s out February 1. Check out the tracklist. It’s the first new Specials record to feature vocalist Terry Hall since their iconic 1981 single “Ghost Town.” The album also features original members Lynval Golding and Horace Panter. The CD edition comes with a second disc, The Best of the Specials Live. The Specials are set to tour in 2019.

The Specials’ last album of original material was 1998’s Guilty ’til Proved Innocent!. They subsequently released two covers albums, the last being 2001’s Conquering Ruler. The band’s longtime drummer John Bradbury died last year.

See where “Ghost Town” landed in Pitchfork’s list of “The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s.”

See the video.