Richard Thompson releases new solo album “Hippies, Thugs and Heroes”

British folk‑rock musician Richard Thompson is issuing his 20th solo album, Hippies, Thugs and Heroes, on October 16 via New West Records. The 12‑track record was produced with James Frazee and recorded at Hobosound Studio in Weehawken, New Jersey.

The album’s lead single, “Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking,” is already available, and the songs explore a range of characters from “a carousel queen” to “a Kings Road hippie.” Thompson says the new material reflects more of his personal identity than prior releases, noting that home‑studio demos allowed him to present fuller ideas to his band. The supporting musicians are bassist Taras Prodaniuk, drummer Michael Jerome, guitarist/fiddler David Mansfield, and backing‑vocalist Zara Phillips.