No, ‘Breaking Thru The Interstellar’ is not another Katy Perry roasting (although give the internet enough time and it could be). Instead, it’s the majestic opening track on Andy Bell’s first album in 15 years. Fans can relax; the Erasure frontman is currently working with Vince Clarke again on a new album but drops this solo offering in the meantime. Bell collaborates here with Dave Audé, who produced his two previous number ones on the US dance chart, and they bring us the euphoric dancefloor thumper ‘Dance For Mercy’, 60-year-old Bell’s response to numerous near misses with danger and bad health, including living with HIV. You can hear his defiant, upbeat ‘not today Satan’ vibes as he vows to dance, take trips and find new love, with nothing to lose except his dignity. 

There are plenty of biblical references here, besides the title Ten Crowns which nods to the album’s ten tracks but also the Book Of Revelation. Bell says that a big influence was recording in Audé’s hometown of Nashville, where there’s a church on every corner. So expect a blend of heartfelt gospel jubilation and musical-theatre grandiosity on tracks such as ‘Thank You’ and ‘Godspell’. In ‘Dawn Of Heaven’s Gate’, the solemn chime of church organ gives way to tough pop beats and Spanish language lyrics about dissipating the hate, with Bell wrestling with homophobic demons as well as personal ones. ‘Godspell’ and ‘Put Your Empathy On Ice’ come across like Jesus Christ Superstar preaching at the disco about false prophets and fakery, with added cosmic drama. 

‘Lies So Deep’, his track with America’s Got Talent star Sarah Potenza, is a standout: her powerhouse vocal gives flashbacks to the rich Alison Moyet sound in Yazoo, crossed with the chutzpah of Disney’s Ursula and operatic flair of Anohni. Blondie legend Debbie Harry puts in a surly, haughty appearance too, on the bittersweet ‘Heart’s A Liar’. Bell throws camp shade at his ultimate pop heroine, calling her ‘a sorry state’ and singing ‘I’m so broken and you’re so beautiful. But your love is cruel.’ There are a couple of less than interstellar tracks but hearing the best songs from Ten Crowns alongside classic Erasure tunes on the upcoming live tour will doubtless be an utterly heavenly combo.

Ten Crowns is released by Crown Recordings on Friday 2 May; main picture: Sean Black.