Gary Numan's latest studio album Intruder (BMG) - a record that explores “climate change from the planet’s point of view” - is looking set to be Gary's seventh Top 5 hit in the UK's Official Album Charts. Gary Ryan of the NME declares that "with ‘Intruder’, (Gary's) chiming with the times" and that includes his place in popular culture - a midweek chart position of #2 has Gary parked only behind Disney Channel pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo.
With stiff competition from Twenty One Pilots, Pink and the aforementioned Rodrigo, Gary took to Twitter to gratefully thank those that have kept him at the lofty heights of the hit parade in the fifth decade of his storied career.
"Thank you for the support those of you that have bought it already and those of you that are going to buy it this week... it’s making a huge difference and this is really exciting." - Gary Numan
1) RAVE REVIEWS
Intruder's performance has been bolstered by a slew of positive reviews, unanimously opining that the record stands up as a contemporary statement from Gary in 2021 while referencing touchpoints across his back catalogue, from synth-pop through industrial.
The Quietus assert: "Numan’s latest albums have returned him to the peak of his powers, his scheduled return to Wembley Arena, and – in his new album Intruder – his best work in the genre to date." Clash Magazine deem Intruder "perhaps the apex of his late-career high", NME celebrate "doomsday bangers from the master of survival" and The Line Of Best Fit honour the fact that Gary "remains enduringly active and prescient at the birth of the ‘20s".
2) RADIO AND ONLINE SUPPORT
Across radio, plays have amassed for album standouts 'Saints And Liars' and 'Intruder', with strong support from BBC 6 Music who premiered the 'Intruder' track and crowned the record Album Of The Day on Tuesday 24th May. The full record enjoyed a Twitter playback on Tim Burgess's much-loved #TimsListeningParty the day after release and Gary appeared on Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt's highly-recommended Rockonteurs podcast, to discuss Intruders and Gary's turbulent voyage through the ups and downs of the music industry.
"If anyone was well-placed to make a soundtrack for the world we're currently living in, given his lyrical track record, then this, this is your man." - Steve Lamacq
3) A LOYAL FANBASE
Intruder's chart performance has been buoyed by strong physical sales on Gary Numan's Official Store where his fans - or Numanoids as they're proudly known - have responded hungrily to a range of different album formats. Intruder is currently presenting the most physical sales of the releases that make up this week's chart competition.
The Deluxe CD and double picture disc vinyl amongst the most popular options of the formats on offer. There is also a gold vinyl variant, standard LP and CD, tees, hoodies and even Intruder fridge magnets to collect - not to mention the range of items from Gary's expansive back catalogue.
4) BONUS CONTENT AND INCENTIVES
Even before the release of the record, an army of Numanoids were treated to engaging video content for Making Music updates on Gary's Official Making Music Store, detailing the creation of the record. As Townsend Music Sales Director Bruce McKenzie explained in an exclusive interview with Music Week: "we had a tour of his studio, mixing sessions, early versions of songs, the songwriting and production process, and even talking head videos of Gary explaining if he was having bad days, blocks in creativity etc, so it was a really honest and transparent journey of the album making process.”
"As the weeks and months went by, all this creatively fell into place with the fans witnessing the whole journey." - Bruce McKenzie
Fresh incentives to pre-order have been plentiful, with Gary promising that "I'll be giving away a pair of my very own jeans to one lucky winner" as the latest giveaway on his Making Music store. Anyone who orders a copy of Intruder from the store will also be granted ticket pre-sale access to Gary's upcoming UK tour. Ticket pre-sale will starts 09:30 BST 26th May 2021 and end 09:30 BST 28th May 2021.
As we commence a final push to verify Gary Numan's continued status as an icon of creativity and class in British music, Townsend Music would like to thank the fans that have supported this project - particularly those on the Making Music journey from the beginning - and we'd like to acknowledge the work of the Numanoids - Gary Numan fans Facebook group who have been magnanimous with their forum and work hard to keep the Numanoid flame burning year in and year out.