Matt Cardle has released his new single Drinking Dreams, a chilled and atmospheric track that showcases the four-octave vocal range that first made him one of Britain’s most talked-about voices during his rise on The X Factor UK in 2010. It was a time when shows like that carried real weight, before today’s crowded wash of talent programmes. The single marks the beginning of a significant new chapter for the singer as he prepares to release his fifth album, The Great Escape, on 10 April 2026.

Drinking Dreams arrives seven years after his last studio project and introduces a more reflective and refined sound. Built around soft production and Cardle’s soaring upper register, the track leans into a hopeful and dreamlike mood. Fans have already praised the single, with one describing it as a “phenomenal and spellbinding performance” and expressing excitement for the full album.

Cardle first rose to prominence in 2010 with his debut single When We Collide. The track sold more than a million copies, was certified platinum and spent three weeks at number one. It was followed by the top ten hit Run For Your Life, written by Gary Barlow. Over the next decade he released four albums including the platinum certified Letters, the top ten album The Fire and Porcelain, which featured the hit duet Loving You with Melanie C.

Alongside his recording career, Cardle has built an award-winning reputation in theatre with leading roles in Memphis, Jesus Christ Superstar, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom and most recently the touring production of & Juliet where he played Shakespeare.

The Great Escape brings together everything Cardle has learned across his fifteen years in music and theatre. The album features fifteen new songs and was written with long-time collaborators including Jim Eliot, Michael Champion, Ben Cullum, Tim Bran and Dan McDougall. Production was led by McDougall, with one track co-produced by multiple Ivor Novello winner Eg White. The album was recorded entirely in London and mixed by Charlie Russell.

Musically, The Great Escape moves between modern pop, soul influences and indie-rock ballads, while allowing Cardle’s voice to remain at the centre. Thematically it reflects on heartbreak, resilience and renewed optimism. Cardle describes the album as a project shaped by personal highs and lows, saying he poured years of experience into its creation.

Speaking about the new single, he explains that Drinking Dreams tells the story of two lovers drifting between reality and a dreamlike world. The track sets the tone for an album that aims to reconnect Cardle with a wide mainstream audience and signal a confident new phase in his career.

The Great Escape will be available digitally and in several limited physical formats including white vinyl, picture disc vinyl, CD and cassette. Amazon will also release an exclusive signed edition with alternative artwork.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.