Status Quo founder and frontman Francis Rossi has released a new studio album, entitled The Accidental, via EarMusic on the 30th of January 2026. Rossi’s previous efforts include King of the Doghouse (1996), One Step at a Time (2010) and a collaboration album with Hannah Rickard, We Talk Too Much (2019).
I enjoyed Rossi’s other solo albums, a chance to hear the artist zoning in on his own musical tendencies outside of the expected formula. Some of those earlier albums had tracks with Quo potential; Rossi’s voice and style are so synonymous with the band that it’s a given. The Accidental obviously shares some of that DNA, but it definitely feels separate. Some projects felt like they had leftovers from elsewhere; this one feels fresh.
The album title refers to the nature of the project, it came about by accident. He wasn’t intending to work on a new album. Things came together after he spontaneously collaborated with musicians Hiran Ilangantileke and Andy Brook. Brook, who is also a producer, currently plays second guitar alongside Rossi on his acoustic solo tours.
The Singles
The album was advertised by the release of four songs, acting as double-sided singles. Go Man Go shares much of the vibe with Rossi’s earlier solo work, especially 2010’s One Step at a Time. It has an irresistible bounce that enhances the sing-along chorus. Not groundbreaking, but definitely sticks around. Something in the Air has a darker feel, with a more biting intent that hits you in the face. It is notable for being one of Rossi’s rare solo credits, his most famous one being 1968’s Pictures of Matchstick Men. The guitars are loud, and Rossi sounds 30 years younger in both his playing and singing. Kudos to Rossi and Amy Newhouse Smith for a creepy spoken word section that gives the song character.
The next single, Push Comes to Shove, starts with an Indie-style chunky guitar rhythm that has echoes of many different influences. The verses feel like late 90s Britpop, while the chorus has a gorgeously 1960s flavour, complete with wah guitar! It’s upbeat yet reflective. The track November Again is a change of pace, still a shuffle, but floats into pleasingly softer territory. There are European flavours in there, with acoustic guitars weaving in and out of the heavy drumming. I am reminded a little of the likes of Tennessee Ernie Ford; Francis’s vocal maturity suits the song.
The Album
In this fan’s opinion, the finished album’s birth may not have been planned, but the spontaneity works in its favour. The Accidental carries a freshness and energy that lifts Rossi to heights he hasn’t reached on record for some time. A lot of the flavours feel familiar, especially if you’ve followed Quo for decades, but the execution contains different shades of colour; Topped off with a clear production that feels balanced, immediate and bright.
The album’s opener, Much Better, is a positive start that helps set up the mood. The voice is unmistakably Rossi, and the guitars are a prominent fixture. It was written by Rossi and Hiran Ilangantileke, the latter of whom was at the root of the whole project. It is easy to see Rossi’s enthusiasm with numbers like the opening track, Push Comes to Shove, November Again, Things Will Get Better, and Oh So Good.
The album contains two songs written by the prolific writing team of Rossi / Young, who penned many a Quo hit over the decades. The first one on the album, Back On Our Home Ground, is an old-school slow Bluesy shuffle that Quo could have recorded in any decade. It has a chunkiness in the production that allows you to feel every groove. The classic feel of this one will go down well with many long-time Quo fans. Bye My Love, the second composition, is a jaunty number with a familiar Blues riff and a pleasing Country flavour to the lyrics.
Dead of Night is one of my highlights on this album. The Rossi/Brook composition is a perky number that shares characteristics with some 80s and 90s Quo numbers, but has a new energy. Rossi’s vocal, accompanied by a tastefully applied reverb, shows its age, but he’s not sitting back. Like a lot of the songs on this album, he’s trying different vocal techniques that showcase his voice. It’s a song with an unexpected attitude and a bunch of catchy bits that make it memorable. I particularly like the “hey now” hook reminiscent of the Vengaboys’ 1998 hit We Like to Party. (What?!). The guitar parts are pretty vibrant, too!
The second Rossi/Brook track is Picture Perfect, a Power Pop style track that pushes more boundaries. The atmospheric intro leads into a thumping rhythm that leans into theatrical textures. Like the other songs here, the vocals see Francis stretch into higher registers; He’s practically doing a falsetto at times. I can see this track being a favourite on the radio; it blends more into contemporary sounds, and that isn’t a bad thing.
The unusual track is Going Home, which wasn’t written by Rossi or any of his collaborators. Unbelievably, it was penned by actor Michael Kitchen and Emlyn Price. The actor featured with Francis in The Kemps All Gold a couple of years back, so this feels like a nice bit of synergy. Who knew the man behind music agent John Farrow was a songwriter? It’s a wonderfully boppy number that sits comfortably within Rossi’s musical universe. A mid-tempo shuffle with a pleasant, inoffensive vibe that puts a smile on your face. Like many songs on this album, the melody catches the ear.
Then we come to Beautiful World (Rossi/Brook/Ilangantileke), an eclectic spread that appears to encompass elements of Rossi’s entire career. Classic Quo fans would recognise it as a long song, featuring different movements and tempos. It doesn’t push as far as the Quo examples used to, but those six minutes are not wasted. It’s an effortless expression of different eras that features solos, boogie and textures all wrapped up in a psychedelic feel chorus.
The album ends on the sombre but uplifting Time to Remember, a complete change of pace led by piano and Rossi’s delicate vocals. It’s a different vibe from the rest of the album, but it does work as a closer. Rossi recently appeared on Talking Pictures TV’s The Footage Detectives, where he discussed his delve into the back catalogue of Dame Vera Lynn. While this song isn’t exactly in the same house, its poignancy and nature are definitely on the same street. Judging by this, a Rossi/Newhouse Smith collaboration album would be an interesting prospect that ventures into uncharted waters.
Production And Sound Quality
Francis Rossi and Andy Brook co-produced the album. They have worked on several projects together over the last decade, including Quo’s last album, Backbone, Rossi’s Acoustic EP, 2019’s We Talk Too Much, and Lee O’Brien’s This is Me.
The Accidental sets a benchmark for the pair, as the sound has a vibrancy that surpasses their previous work. There are moments when the production is full and alive, with layers adding texture through backing vocals, synths, piano, sound effects, and even one use of an orchestral string sound. These fixtures complement the guitar-driven sound, rather than dominate it.
The playing across all tracks is to a high standard. The guitar work from Francis, Hiran and Andy has vigour, the former playing solos like it’s 1991! Leon Cave’s drums groove along nicely with fills that work, along with the Bass primarily provided by John Edwards (both current Quo members).
Conclusion
This is an album that nearly didn’t exist, but I’m glad it does. The experience of working with collaborators, both old and new, has had a positive effect on his output. They’ve pulled him into new and interesting areas. Yes, some of it sounds like Status Quo, but this is definitely a Francis Rossi album. The guitars are more prominent, but there are still other characteristic flourishes in the mix.
In conclusion, this is the sound of an artist touching his roots, but also experimenting in new directions. The arrangements vary from familiar to dynamic, and the performance showcases an energy that feels like his younger self meeting reality. The result is an accomplished original album that proves there’s still creative juices flowing. The Accidental is available to order on CD, Black Vinyl and Clear Vinyl variations.
Tracklisting:
- Much Better
- Go Man Go
- Push Comes to Shove
- Back On Our Home Ground
- Dead of Night
- Going Home
- Bye My Love
- Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)
- Picture Perfect
- November Again
- Things Will Get Better
- Oh So Good
- Beautiful World
- Time To Remember
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The Accidental
