UB40’s long-awaited 21st studio album, UB45, has just been released. A 14-track album that features brand new songs including the singles “Gimme Some Kinda Sign” and “Home,” plus re-recordings of some of the band’s most beloved hits. With seven new UB40 recordings, including the lead single, “Gimme Some Kinda Sign,” a cover of Brenton Wood’s 1967 track “Gimme Little Sign,” the group added a special UB40 flavor to the legendary soul classic. It was chosen by Matt Doyle who brought it to Robin Campbell, unaware that the song had been on the guitarist and vocalist’s wish list since the Labour Of Love (1983) days.  

UB45 delivers from the band what they do best, with songs that fearlessly address societal hot-button issues and take a firm stand against the injustices of the world. This is apparent from the opening track “Home,” complete with trademark UB40 beats and the powerful themes of inequality and bigotry. Other new recordings include a beautiful rendition of Bill Withers’ “Hope She’ll Be Happier” (1971), “Trouble,” “Say Nothing,” “Fool Me Once,” and the single “Champion,” which was the official anthem of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.