Damien Rice Releases 'My Favorite Faded Fantasy'

Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice has uploaded a new track, "My Favorite Faded Fantasy" to his Soundcloud.

??"My Favorite Faded Fantasy" is the title-track to Rice's Rick Rubin-produced new album, which is set for a November 11th release via Warner Bros. Records.

My Favorite Faded Fantasy will be Rice's first album in 8 years.?? Rice's debut, O, went a staggering 10x platinum in his native Ireland and 4x platinum in the UK. The singer started gaining recognition on this side of the Atlantic after the video for his single "Volcano" charted on VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown. O subsequently achieved Gold status in the US.??

Despite his obvious pop appeal, Rice insisted on recording O without the backing of a major label, claiming it would hamper his future creativity.

It would appear that this strategy has worked for Rice, who despite selling a phenomenal amount of records, also racked up rave reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Allmusic, and Sputnikmusic.

??Rice's second album, 9, still sold well despite mixed critical reception. He told Hot Press Annual, "I would take half the songs that are on 9 off. I just don't think its as good of a record that it could be.

??Aside from his music, Rice is also active in politics.

In 2006, he campaigned for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who won a 1990 popular election in Burma despite being under house arrest.

He also contributed a song, 2010's "Lonely Soldier" to the Enough Project, a non-profit organization formed to raise awareness of genocide.