| 30 Goes Around the Sun | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 18 March 2016 | |||
| Recorded | October 2015 – January 2016 | |||
| Studio | Mockingbird, Stourbridge | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 41:30 | |||
| Label | IRL | |||
| Producer | Simon Efemey | |||
| The Wonder Stuff chronology | ||||
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30 Goes Around the Sun is the eighth studio album to be recorded by English rock band the Wonder Stuff. It was released on 18 March 2016 through the label IRL. Following a line-up change in 2014, frontman Miles Hunt began writing for the band's next album in early 2015. After a two-month writing hiatus, they began jamming new songs with their sound engineer Simon Efemey at a rehearsal space in Stourbridge, West Midlands. Recording sessions were held at Mockingbird Studio in Stourbridge with Efemey as producer. 30 Goes Around the Sun is an alternative rock album; some of its songs recall the material on the band's earlier releases. Hunt had initially struggled to writer lyrics following writing a book based on his diaries.
Music critics gave 30 Goes Around the Sun generally positive reviews, and some highlighted violinist Erica Nockalls's role in the band. It peaked at number 38 on the UK Albums Chart. The album's release coincided with the Wonder Stuff's celebratory anniversary tour of the United Kingdom, in which they appeared at various festivals. Music videos for "For the Broken Hearted" and "Good Deeds & Highs" were released in August and December 2016, respectively.