THIS month Will Young is not only performing at Pub in the Park in Bath, but he is also releasing his latest album, Lexicon.

Will Young has released six albums since he exploded onto the pop scene in 2002 and Lexicon will be his seventh. The album itself is the album he wanted to make, but never got the chance to.

This is the first time that he will release a record via an independent label, Cooking Vinyl. He has opened up the record to other people’s songs, which he has not done since his second record, Friday’s Child, in 2003.

For the first time, Will has no management, after he decided that authority is not something he thrives upon.

Bridgwater Mercury:

New album: Lexicon

The idea for Lexicon came after a period of personal overhaul for Will. In 2016, he had withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing early in the competition, as a result of anxiety, depression and PTSD.

In 2018, he starred in the stage musical version of Baz Lurhmann’s Strictly Ballroom in the West End. It all led, slowly but surely, to Lexicon.

Will said: “I didn’t think I would ever make Lexicon. I found music again last summer, and I wrote All The Songs with two friends of mine.

“That started the ball in motion and then suddenly we were making a new album with Richard X (who I’d made Echoes with). I had always wanted to make an Echoes 2 and this was the moment to do it. It was all very natural. I call it a melancholy pop album. Heartfelt songs, but with a pop sheen to them. I really love this record and I’m very proud of it.

“I can’t wait for it to come out later this month - people have only heard My Love and All The Songs so far and I’m blown away by the response from fans. It’s so nice to make something that you love and then find out that others feel the same way.”

Pop icon

Will has spent much of the last two decades at the forefront of pop, having won Pop Idol at the age of 22, which shot him to national fame and to the top of the charts.

Six albums and two Brit Awards followed, with hits such as Leave Right Now and Jealousy.

Will has also had an impressive acting career with roles on stage and screen and presenting gigs on TV and radio.

His LGBT podcast Homo Sapiens, which he co-created and co-presents with his friend, the filmmaker Chris Sweeney, has been such a huge success that the pair are planning to grow it into a festival, and potentially even expand into children’s books, with a focus on diversity.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Passion for singing

However, Will has always loved singing and is very excited to perform during his October tour.

He explained: “Music touches your soul, you can remember a feeling or an important moment in your life by a song. I love it, I always have.

“I just love to sing, especially live - it is just something I’ve always done and always enjoyed, I’m lucky to be able to do it. Songwriting is different for me - it is always great to write something real that just lives on.

“I actually love writing with other people more than writing myself, there is something about that collective feeling.

“When you are a singer, you just want to sing, so for four weeks I’m going to be on the road singing every night. It’s a dream come true and I’m lucky to be able to do it with this amazing band.”

Pub in the Park - Bath

However, before the tour, Will is performing in Somerset - at Pub in the Park in Bath on June 23.

He said: “Pub In The Park is actually a big part of the story for this album. I only played one show last year with my band and that was at Pub In The Park Marlow.

“I loved being back on stage with the band and it really inspired me to work on the album. So Pub In The Park is really close to my heart. It’s a great day out for everyone in the family.”

Will doesn’t think he will get tired of performing. He explained that when you love doing something, you just want to keep doing it. And while performing, he has found another passion: his podcast.

He added: “I do love performing, it’s in my blood. But what I think I’m most passionate about now is helping other people.

“I’ve done a lot of work with mental health talks and through my podcast, Homo Sapiens, I’ve really started to work more in health and I’m enjoying it. But singing on stage will always be my first love.”

You can see Will Young at Pub in the Park in Bath or at various other venues throughout October, during his tour.

To find out more, visit willyoung.co.uk