Out Now: ‘The Boy Named If,’ a New Album from Elvis Costello & the Imposters (Listen)

The Boy Named If is the 32nd full-length album in the incredible career of Elvis Costello. Released with his band the Imposters, the album officially arrived today, Jan. 14, on streaming platforms and on CD/vinyl.

'The Boy Named If' is out now! I'm so delighted for you to hear it in its entirety. Have a listen and let me know what you think. Get your copy today on CD, Vinyl, or listen anywhere you stream music. https://t.co/UQXUeUEBB8 pic.twitter.com/x8sgdJz3mT

— Elvis Costello (@ElvisCostello) January 14, 2022

Costello has been previewing the record in recent weeks with a few tracks, and each has driven home the point that The Boy Named If is an especially inspired set of songs. Costello, in fact, characterizes the record as such:

“The full title of this record is ‘The Boy Named If (And Other Children’s Stories).’ ‘IF’ is a nickname for your imaginary friend; your secret self, the one who knows everything you deny, the one you blame for the shattered crockery and the hearts you break, even your own.”

Click here to pick up The Boy Named If on CD from our Rock Cellar Store
Click here to pick up The Boy Named If on 2-LP from our Rock Cellar Store

Produced by Elvis Costello and Sebastian Krys,  The Boy Named If follows Costello’s recent release of Spanish Model, a reinvention of his 1978 record This Year’s Model. It also follows 2020’s Hey Clockface record.

The track listing:

1. Farewell, OK
2. The Boy Named If
3. Penelope Halfpenny
4. The Difference
5. What If I Can’t Give You Anything But Love?
6. Paint The Red Rose Blue
7. Mistook Me For A Friend
8. My Most Beautiful Mistake
9. Magnificent Hurt
10. The Man You Love To Hate
11. The Death Of Magic Thinking
12. Trick Out The Truth
13. Mr. Crescent

Stream it below.

Some more on the activities surrounding the album release and some upcoming live concerts, per Costello’s website:

Tomorrow will also see Elvis host a ‘Pirate Radio’ live stream where he will spin records, tell tales and play a song or two live from the basement of Defend Vinyl in Liverpool at 6.00pm GMT. Be sure to get yourself tuned in:

With an appearance tonight on The Graham Norton Show, tomorrow morning at 10.00am on Saturday Kitchen, and Monday on BBC Breakfast, the excitement for Elvis’ new record is electric – also reflected in the 4 and 5 star album reviews across the board.

Next week on January 21, Costello will be chatting on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and will also perform on the show with The Imposters.

Elvis will return to the UK in June 2022 with The Imposters (Steve Nieve – keyboards; Pete Thomas – drums; Davey Faragher – bass & backing vocals) along with Charlie Sexton for an extensive UK run of dates.

June 2022

Sun 5th Brighton Dome

Tue 7th Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Wed 8th Newcastle O2 City Hall

Fri 10th Liverpool Philharmonic

Sat 11th Manchester Opera House

Mon 13th Birmingham Symphony Hall

Tue 14th Leicester De Montfort Hall

Thu 16th Oxford New Theatre

Fri 17th Bath The Forum

Sun 19th Portsmouth Guildhall

Mon 20th Swansea Arena

Wed 22nd Ipswich Regent Theatre

Thur 23rd London Eventim Apollo