Andrea Bocelli to release first album of new material in 14 years (original) (raw)

The singer also recently joined Ed Sheeran on stage to duet on 'Perfect'

Updated on June 15, 2018 08:02AM EDT

Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Andrea Bocelli is back with his first recording of new material in 14 years.

His new album, “Sì” will be released on Oct. 26 by Decca/Sugar. You can now listen to the first single off the album, “If Only,” which Bocelli will perform on June 21 on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

“If Only” was recorded in three languages and was co-written by Francesco Sartori and the late Lucio Quarantotto – who helped pen one of Bocelli’s biggest hits, “Con Te Partirò (Time To Say Goodbye),” which was released over 20 years ago and has become one of the best-selling singles of all time.

This new album marks a return to Bocelli’s roots, celebrating love, faith, and family. Produced by Bob Ezrin, it was recorded at his home in Italy. “I wanted to go back to my memories of being a young man, playing at a piano bar,” he said in a statement. “Obviously since then, I’ve produced lots of albums, sung lots of covers, performed many other things. But at a certain point I said to myself: ‘Maybe the time has come to put my effort into finding new songs.’ Like starting all over again, as it were, in my career.”

Bocelli also recorded a duet of “Perfect” with Ed Sheeran at this home in Italy last December; Bocelli joined Sheeran for a surprise performance of the song Thursday night at London’s Wembley Stadium.