Elvis Costello / The Boy Named If

Elvis Costello and The Imposters will release a new studio album, The Boy Named If, early next year.

The record is described as having “urgent, immediate songs with bright melodies, guitar solos that sting and a quick step to the rhythm”. Costello himself says that the album is a collection of thirteen snapshots “That take us from the last days of a bewildered boyhood to that mortifying moment when you are told to stop acting like a child – which for most men (and perhaps a few gals too) can be any time in the next fifty years”. You can preview ‘Magnificent Hurt’, below.

Costello goes on to explain the album’s title. “The full title of this record is ‘The Boy Named If (And Other Children’s Stories).’  ‘IF,’ is a nickname for your imaginary friend; your secret self, the one who knows everything you deny, the one you blame for the shattered crockery and the hearts you break, even your own”.

The record has been produced by Sebastian Krys & Elvis Costello and is available on CD, 2LP black vinyl and limited 2LP purple vinyl. The official store (UK link) offers the CD in a book, signed by “the artist” (?) for £44, which feels rather overpriced. Is it too much trouble to tell us the NAME of the artist!! There are other bundles too.

The Boy Named If will be released on 14 January 2022.

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Elvis Costello & The Imposters

The Boy Named If - CD edition

Shop Price gbp Stock Amazon uk   8.28 Order Amazon de   5.69 Order Amazon usa   6.78 Order Amazon fr   8.22 Order Amazon it   7.12 Order Amazon es   7.19 Order Amazon ca   11.72 Order JPC de   9.99 Order Rough Trade uk   11.99 pre-order Townsend Music uk   11.00 pre-order

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Compare prices and pre-order

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

The Boy Named If - 2LP vinyl

Shop Price gbp Stock Amazon uk   15.05 Order Amazon de   17.89 Order Amazon usa   16.49 Order Amazon fr   21.42 Order Amazon it   21.01 Order Amazon es   19.3 Order Amazon ca   20.88 Order JPC de   21.99 Order Rough Trade uk   35.99 purple vinyl Townsend Music uk   35.00 purple vinyl

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Tracklisting

The Boy Named If Elvis Costello /

• • 1. Farewell
    2. The Boy if Named
    3. Penelope Halfpenny
    4. The Difference
    5. What If I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
    6. Paint the Red Rose Blue
    7. Mistook Me For a Fool
    8. My Most Beautiful Mistake
    9. Magnificent Hurt
    10. The Man You Love To Hate
    11. Death of Magic Thinking
    12. Trick Out The Truth
    13. Mr Crescent