Ian Brown's forthcoming solo album was inspired by Michael Jackson. But it's not a cash-in, the former Stone Roses frontman insists – it's a coincidence.
"Thriller was our blueprint," Brown said in an interview with NME.com. Just as Jackson's 1982 LP was filled with killer tunes, Brown hopes My Way, due 28 September, will similarly be stuffed with hits. "Every time we wrote a song we didn't think was strong enough, we scrapped it," he said.
Then again, Brown's affection for Jackson didn't take him far from his comfort zone. My Way, Brown's sixth solo album, was again recorded with producer Dave McCracken at Manchester's Battery studios.
This isn't the first time that Brown has taken inspiration from the King of Pop. He covered the songs Thriller and Billie Jean for his 2005 compilation album, and the latter was a B-side to his 2000 single, Dolphins Were Monkeys.
Though My Way may serve as a memorial to Jackson, Brown said that the album was conceived long before the singer's death. "We mastered it on the day that Jackson died," he explained. "I'm taking that as a good omen."
My Way will be preceded by lead single Stellify on 21 September.
