VERVE ALBUM DELAYED?

The Verve are threatening to withhold their new album in protest against record label EMI.

The recently reformed band are following the lead of labelmates Coldplay, who have warned against releasing their new album until they are sure of EMI’s long term financial security. The news is another blow to the major label, which has seen the likes of Paul McCartney and Radiohead leave its roster recently amid boring money-men goings on.

The Verve’s first album since 1997’s ‘Urban Hymns’ was due for release sometime in June – but whether this still stands is unknown. The band’s manager Jazz Summers will be in meetings today with EMI – but has already voiced concern about the future, saying that Terra Firma, the private equity company that has taken over the label has “not got a clue about what this business is about”.