“The Great Escape” marks Matt Cardle’s continued presence as a recording artist with a career that has now lasted over 15 years and includes record sales exceeding 3 million. Matt Cardle’s remarkable four-octave vocal range established him as one of the prominent British pop artists when he released his debut million-selling single “When We Collide” in 2010, which received platinum certification and spent three weeks at number one. This was followed by another significant hit, “Run for Your Life,” written by Gary Barlow, which reached number six.

Since then, Matt has released four albums, including “Letters,” which reached number two and achieved platinum status, and “The Fire,” which peaked at number eight and was certified silver. His top ten hit “Loving You,” a duet with Melanie C, was featured on his third album, “Porcelain,” which reached number eleven. The Brit Award nominee has also developed a successful parallel career as an award-winning West End actor, with leading roles in “Memphis” (2015) alongside Beverley Knight, “Jesus Christ Superstar” (2019), Baz Luhrmann’s “Strictly Ballroom” (2018), and the touring production of “& Juliet,” in which he plays Shakespeare (2024).

Now, singer-songwriter Matt draws on all his experiences after a seven-year break as he returns with his fifth album, “The Great Escape.” This collection of 15 new songs will be released on April 10, 2026, starting with the unveiling of its first track, “Drinking Dreams.”
“The Great Escape” represents a significant return for Matt, incorporating elements of modern pop and soul as well as dynamic indie-rock ballads. This new chapter for the multi-platinum recording artist showcases a refined sound that combines classic songwriting with his soaring falsetto and contemporary production.

Matt has collaborated with longtime partners Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding, Kylie), Michael Champion (Champs, Wet Leg), Ben Cullum (Jamie Cullum, Gabrielle, Ferry Corsten), Tim Bran (London Grammar), and Dan McDougall (Sam Ryder, Liam Gallagher, Bruno Major) on “The Great Escape.” The album was produced by Dan McDougall, with one song co-produced and co-written by multiple Ivor Novello winner Eg White (Adele, Florence + The Machine). Entirely recorded in London, the album was mixed by Charlie Russell (Robbie Williams, Jamiroquai). This set of songs feels fittingly in line with Matt’s most popular hits and is enhanced by modern production that incorporates alt-pop influences and string arrangements, allowing his vocal talent to shine. Thematically, the album explores universal emotions through the lens of experience, addressing themes of heartbreak, vulnerability, the strength found in love, and optimism for the future.

DESCRIBING ‘THE GREAT ESCAPE’, MATT SAYS:

“I TOOK A LONG HIATUS FROM RELEASING MUSIC, FEELING THE NEED TO RECONNECT WITH A FEELING INSIDE THAT I HAD LOST.  THE GREAT ESCAPE IS A BODY OF WORK OVER A DECADE IN THE MAKING. I’VE DRAWN ON YEARS OF HIGHS & LOWS AND LOVE & LOSS – AND AT TIMES NEEDING TO ESCAPE LIFE & MYSELF ALTOGETHER. I’VE POURED ALL THAT EMOTION INTO THIS ALBUM.”

THE NEW SONG ‘DRINKING DREAMS’ INTRODUCES US TO THE NEWLY REJUVENATED MATT CARDLE. IN A SOPHISTICATED AND HYPNOTIC SLOWBURNER MATT SAYS:

“IT’S A STORY OF TWO LOVERS TAKING A SWIM IN THE DEEP GREEN SEA OF PSYCHEDELICS, ELEVATING THEM FROM REALITY TO DREAMS AND BACK AGAIN.”