Michael Robert Murphy, Liverpool’s pre-eminent psych priest has released his latest single, Corkscrew, drawn from the upcoming deluxe reissue of his celebrated 2025 album, Chaos Magick. It comes on the eve of three live dates, taking in Glasgow and London before a Merseyside homecoming on Fri 27 February 2026.
Having enjoyed the cult-success that was afforded his influential band, The Wicked Whispers, prior to their amicable disbandment in 2018, Murphy has since channelled his own poetry and purpose into a run of sell out solo albums. His latest, Chaos Magick, released in summer 2025, found the songwriter stripping back his sound, mixing lo-fi analogue methods of recording with progressive modern technique.
Recorded amidst the natural wonders and untamed climate of the Wirral, supported by producer, Liam Power (By The Sea), Murphy’s self-originated and performed arrangements were embellished with contributions from Echo and The Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant and both Ian Skelly and Paul Molloy of The Coral.
A late runner but never in danger of being lost, Corkscrew is a previously unheard and unreleased gem from the album sessions which now joins a further three tracks (including In A Dream That Holds The Key from Murphy’s hugely successful 2025 Radio X session) completing the Chaos Magick Deluxe Edition. Accompanied by a video shot by Dan Hewitson (Brooke Combe, Jamie Webster), Corkscrew’s story is illustrated using scenes from Liverpool’s Anglian Cathedral, the historic manor, Sudely House and an abandoned railway line that cuts through Murphy’s home city.
Murphy says: “No song gets left behind but, while we were reflecting on the album running order, pushing ‘Corkscrew’ into contention would have changed the balanced vibe and pace of ‘Chaos Magick’. But this enriched version of the song feels really special, it lives as an important companion to the album. It’s me singing to anyone that I have seen going through a tough time. The music is there for a friend if a sympathetic ear is ever needed.”
Chaos Magick gave up a run of similarly reflective, carefully constructed singles last year, including Lift The Curse, Prometheus Fountain, Whispers On The Wind and Cyclone. Those tracks, alongside previous sell-out releases, including songs from 2020’s Metamorph EP and the James Skelly-produced Puzzles/Holding On AA-side single, are in contention for set-list addition for the following confirmed Michael Robert Murphy shows:
• Sun 22 Feb – Glasgow, McChuills
• Thu 26 Feb – London, The Stags Head
• Fri 27 Feb – Liverpool, ARC:HIVE
Alongside links to both the original and updated, deluxe edition of Chaos Magik, final remaining tickets for all dates can be booked via https://linktr.ee/michaelrobertmurphy
For further information on Michael Robert Murphy’s releases and future live announcements, connect online at:
https://www.instagram.com/michael_robert_murphy
https://x.com/MRobertMurphy
https://www.facebook.com/MRMurphyMusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelrobertmurphy