"No Tourists" is the seventh studio album by the English electronic music band The Prodigy, released on November 2, 2018, via their independent label Take Me to the Hospital, managed by BMG. The album debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, marking the band's sixth consecutive studio album to achieve this feat, and it reached No. 7 on the US Dance Albums chart. This album is significant as it is the last to feature frontman Keith Flint, who tragically passed away in March 2019. To support No Tourists, The Prodigy began a world tour in November 2018, but after Flint's death, all remaining dates were canceled.
In 2015, following the release of their previous album, The Day Is My Enemy, band member Liam Howlett expressed a desire to focus on shorter releases, like EPs, to get new material to fans more quickly. However, by 2017, Howlett began creating material that led to the decision to produce a full album. The first track he worked on was "Fight Fire with Fire," co-written with American hip-hop duo Ho99o9. Howlett aimed for a more aggressive sound while also emphasizing live performance elements in the arrangements. The album features contributions from bandmates Keith Flint and Maxim, along with collaborations with Ho99o9 and English singer-songwriter Barns Courtney.
The album was primarily written and produced by Howlett at Tileyard Studios in London over the course of a year. He prioritized capturing the energy of live performances and deliberately shifted his lifestyle to foster creativity, including avoiding socializing and alcohol during the recording process. The band continued working on the album while on tour, capturing Flint's vocals in various locations, which added to the album's raw energy. Howlett described the recording experience as intense, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the work.
The album's title and cover were revealed in July 2018. Howlett explained that the title No Tourists reflects a theme of escapism and adventure, encouraging listeners to stray from the beaten path. The cover features a Routemaster bus with a destination linked to the band's early days. The lead single, "Need Some1," premiered on BBC Radio 1 and was followed by other singles including "Light Up the Sky" and "Fight Fire with Fire." The Prodigy hosted a secret listening party for fans before the album's release. No Tourists was released on various formats, including CD, vinyl, and cassette, and debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, with significant sales and streaming figures.
