Leftfield sign global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music

01 December 2022 - Press release

Celebrated electronic music act Leftfield (Neil Barnes / Adam Wren) have signed a worldwide deal with Warner Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group.  The band’s fourth album, This Is What We Do, is set to be released on 2 December.

Leftfield (originally comprised of Neil Barnes and Paul Daley), have been at the cutting edge of dance music since the 1990s, releasing albums that have become some of the most influential electronic records of all time around the world with their debut LP Leftism being widely regarded as one of the most boundary-pushing electronic LPs ever released.  They split in 2002 to pursue solo projects, and Barnes reignited the Leftfield name in 2010 with a number of different musicians joining him in studio and on stage over the last 12 years.

The publishing deal covers Barnes’ share of Leftfield’s catalogue and future songwriting projects.

Neil Barnes says: “I’m so excited about the release of This Is What We Do.  It’s great to be back with new music and to be in partnership with Warner Chappell Music, I know the team there will help us take our music to even more fans around the world.”

Shani Gonzales, Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music UK, adds: “Leftfield wrote the book when it comes to electronic music.  And Neil is still innovating and collaborating more than 30 years after he first co-founded Leftfield.  I’ve heard the new album and it’s amazing, Leftfield fans are in for an early Christmas present.”

Ayla Owen, Vice President of Sync, Europe, Warner Chappell Music, concludes: “Leftfield’s riotous blend of eclectic sounds, spoken word vocals and relentless beats created a ground-breaking and inimitable brand of electronic music in the ‘90s.  Their music has played centre stage in some of the world’s most iconic syncs, such as the use of ‘Phat Planet’ in the award-winning Guinness ‘Surfer’ campaign.  The band’s new album has an uncompromising immediacy to it that took my breath away when I first heard it – an instant classic.  On a personal note, this is a hugely important signing to me because I’m a massive fan!” 

Leftfield’s commercial breakthrough came in 1993 with ‘Open Up’, a single  featuring the Sex Pistols’ John Lydon, which topped the UK dance singles chart.  Their critically acclaimed debut album Leftism followed in 1995, it reached Number 3 in the UK chart and was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize. 

Their second album, Rhythm and Stealth, was released in 1999 and went to Number One in the UK, charted well across Europe, and was also shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize. 

Neil Barnes reformed Leftfield in 2010 to play a series of music festivals, including Creamfields and the Electric Picnic.  New music followed with the studio album Alternative Light Source appearing in 2015 and going to Number 6 in the UK chart.  Leftfield have toured the world since, selling out venues with their legendary live performances.

Their fourth album, This Is What We Do, is set to be released on 2^nd December by Virgin Records.  It will feature guest contributions from Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten and poet and author Lemn Sissay OBE. 

Leftfield’s music has always been in much demand for sync – appearing in films such as Trainspotting and The Beach, as well as adverts for brands from Guinness to 02.