With a voice that defined an era and a catalogue packed with timeless hits, Carol Decker remains one of British rock’s most distinctive and enduring performers. As the frontwoman of T'Pau, she helped shape the sound of the late ’80s with chart-topping classics like China In Your Hand and Heart and Soul — and now, she’s back with something new to say.

After a decade away from releasing original material, T’Pau return with their new album Be Wonderful, led by the powerful single Read My Lips — a bold, self-empowering anthem that blends the band’s signature sound with a fresh, modern edge. Ahead of the album’s release and a major UK tour, we caught up with Carol to learn a little more.

Hi, how are you?
I'm very well, thanks. Hope you are too

I am very well, thank you. We are so excited you are back with a new album. How does it feel?

Exciting and slightly nerve-wracking, hoping fans will like the new songs

We love the title, Be Wonderful. Tell us more…

We were inspired by the choice of photo on the new LP cover of me when I was a little girl to name the album after the track Be Wonderful, in the spirit of that 'what would you say to your younger self? ' That seems to be a popular interview question just lately and we hope to inspire our fans to be themselves and be wonderful

If this album were a place, what would it look and feel like—and why did you end up there?

I think the cover shot is the place – it's a cul-de-sac where I used to play as a child in Stevenage. It's very empty, so there's no history, only potential, and I'm standing on my own at the start of my young life, and I don't know what's in store. I can only hope and be wonderful.

Was there a moment during recording where the album 'revealed itself' to you and changed direction?

The album doesn't have a direction, as such, aside from being hopefully good, but the songs revealed themselves individually. A few of them were started some time ago and had a lot of potential that was never capitalised on, so when we decided to sit down and write an album, we wrote some new songs but also had to revisit some long-forgotten ideas. That was quite challenging as writers, and we tussled with each other, metaphorically. I had lots of ideas to rescue these songs. Sometimes it was quite a battle, as Ronnie (Ron Rogers – my creative partner in T’Pau) and I are both very strong minded, but we're very happy with how the 10 songs turned out

Which song on the album surprised you the most once it was finished?

I would say Casual Remark - it's quite a grower... We went for a Fleetwood Mac style layered harmony and had a great guitarist lay down the blues licks

Is there a lyric on the album that still hits differently for you each time you perform it?

Not really - don't quite know how to answer that

Did you find yourselves writing more from instinct or reflection this time around?

That's a good question... Definitely both. I have an instinct for what I think is attractive melodically, but also some of the topics of the songs are definitely things I've reflected on.

Was there anything you chose not to say on this album?

No, I've been honest in the personal songs and also with my opinions on certain topics

If someone only knew you from China in Your Hand, what would surprise them most about this new record?

China In Your Handis mighty and bombastic, so I'm hoping they would like the detail and some of the delicacy in tracks like Casual Remark and Be Wonderful

Were there any musical influences you deliberately avoided this time?

We avoided boring, corny huge guitar lead breaks



Did you experiment with any sounds or techniques that felt risky?

We always experiment with sounds, particularly keyboard sounds. We like good, solid melodies on the instrumentation, but we like to mess about so they don't sound boring and obvious. For example, the sequence on Miles And Miles took us ages to get right. Stupid Love Song had something missing for the longest time and Ronnie reworked the drums and totally salvaged the song

How does this album speak to who you are now versus who you were when you first started?

Well, I'm 40 years older than I was when I wrote my first songs, so I reflect on the world differently... And I've been through a lot of experiences, good and bad, so I think the content is less naive

Do you think your past success changes how people hear your new music—for better or worse?

I really don't know. We get told that the album sounds like us, but modern, so hopefully people hear what they remember and enjoy and feel that Ronnie & I have moved forward.

If your younger selves could hear this album, what do you think they’d say?

When I was young I was into what was around at the time – and this wasn't it – so I probably wouldn't have listened to music like this

What would be the wrong way for someone to listen to this album?

Underwater

If the album had a hidden message no one has noticed yet, what would you want it to be?

It doesn't have a hidden message. My messages are always very clear.

You are taking the record on the road - what can we expect from the shows?

We will of course play our eight Top 40 hits and most popular album tracks from our quadruple platinum albums that our fans love, but we will pepper the live set with four or five new ones (we don't want to overwhelm them!)

T’Pau’s new album Be Wonderfulis released April 10th, 2026 - pre-order LP & CD here
T’Pau Be Wonderful UK Tour 2026

April 10 Leeds, City Varieties Music Hall

April 17 Holmfirth, Picturedrome

April 18 Sunderland, The Fire Station

April 19 Glasgow, Òran Mór

April 24 Liverpool, Hangar 34

April 25 Sale, Waterside Arts Centre

Tickets for all shows available here.