"Good News from the Next World" is the tenth studio album by Scottish rock band, Simple Minds. Released on January 30, 1995, this album marked a return to a more rock-driven sound, though it continued their explorations into dance music. It was primarily recorded at the home of lead vocalist, Jim Kerr, in Scotland and produced by Keith Forsey, who previously worked with the band in the mid-1980s.
The album spawned two UK Top 20 hits, "She's a River" and "Hypnotised". "She's a River," the first single from the record, was one of their most successful songs, reaching number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Though the album was not quite as successful as their earlier works, it managed to reach number two on the UK Albums Chart and achieved Gold status from BPI, indicating significant sales. "Good News from the Next World" also cracked the top 50 in several other countries, evidence of the band's enduring international appeal.
In terms of content, the album sees Simple Minds searching for a fresh direction in the post-grunge musical landscape with an approach that blends their atmospheric 80s style with contemporary rock elements. As such, it showcases a band willing to adapt to new trends and musical styles, even as they reaffirm their identity as a rock-driven outfit. Most critics agree that "Good News from the Next World" marked the point in which Simple Minds successfully updated their sound for the 90s, without entirely forsaking their roots.
