In a career that has spanned multi-million global album sales, Brits, Ivor Novellos, Grammy award nominations and arena tours, Jake Shears has become a trusted friend to his audience. Just last year, Scissor Sisters’ debut album was named the UK’s twelfth biggest-selling debut LP of all time, whilst Shears himself has continued to shape-shift: he has not only written an acclaimed memoir (‘Boys Keep Swinging’), performed on Broadway (returning for a special appearance of ‘Kinky Boots’ at the Hollywood Bowl last summer), but also recently opened a musical in London to rave reviews (‘Tammy Faye, produced alongside Elton John and British playwright James Graham). That pull towards the dancefloor, however, has remained a constant throughout Jake Shears’ unorthodox career, resulting in a new album that feels as much of a blast of escapism as it is a spiritual homecoming for the self-confessed Last Man Dancing.

“I figured out something early on with my music,” says Jake Shears, on the edge of launching his joyful latest work. “I worked out pretty quickly how to amplify what I do and make something that everyone can get on board with.” It’s this intersection between marginal feelings and dizzying mainstream success that is perhaps Shears’ superpower. As a musician, performer, songwriter and lyricist he is of that turn-that-frown-upside-down lineage – a born entertainer, but one who has carved out a genuinely subversive success story, too. In good times and bad Jake Shears has remained a beacon of positivity, whilst helping to shape the musical landscape as we now know it.