Kate Bush says she’s ready to record new music: ‘It’s been a long time’

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In exciting news for Kate Bush enthusiasts, the elusive British musician has announced that she is prepared to begin creating new music.

In an unusual interview with BBC's Emma Barnett, Bush, who is 66 years old, revealed that she has created a new short film that she both wrote and directed, drawing inspiration from the conflict in Ukraine. The animated film runs for just over four minutes and follows a small shrew on its quest for hope in a war-torn city, accompanied by Bush’s song "Snowflake" from her 2011 album, 50 Words for Snow.

Bush gained worldwide recognition in 1978 with her first single, "Wuthering Heights." Although she hasn't put out any new music in 13 years, she shared with Barnett that her experience working on the short film motivated her to reconnect with her creative side.

The "Cloudbusting" artist shared, "I've spent the past few years deeply involved in various archiving projects, including revamping our website and compiling a book of lyrics."

"I'm really excited to jump into a new album once I wrap up this project. I've got plenty of ideas and can't wait to dive back into that creative zone—it's been a while. Especially over the past year, I've felt truly prepared to embark on something fresh."

When asked why she felt this was the right moment, she replied, “I've spent a lot of time working on this animation this year, so once it's completed, I'll be eager to begin something fresh.”

When discussing the motivation behind the video, Bush mentioned that she started creating it shortly after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"It definitely took all of us by surprise. We've enjoyed an extended time of tranquility," she explained. "I felt a strong desire to create a short animation highlighting the experience of a child—initially, a young girl—who finds herself in the midst of conflict. My goal was to shed light on the terrible impact of war on children. That inspired me to develop a storyboard."

Bush explained that she opted to portray her character as a shrew because she thought people would likely feel more sympathy for an animal than for a human being.

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"I believe we've all become somewhat numb to the constant violence portrayed in movies, where characters are often ruthlessly killed," she remarked. "However, if a dog were harmed in a film, people would react strongly and outrage would ensue. It’s unfortunate to say, but I think there's some truth to this observation."

Her announcement arrives two years after she gained a fresh wave of supporters when her 1985 song “Running Up That Hill” was featured in a crucial moment of the fourth season of Netflix’s popular sci-fi horror show, Stranger Things. Thanks to countless viral TikTok videos featuring the track, the song made a comeback on the charts and ultimately surpassed a billion streams on Spotify.

Bush continues to be one of the most beloved and respected artists in Britain, appreciated by other musicians like Bjork and Lady Gaga. She hasn't taken the stage since 2014, when she held her first concerts in 35 years. In a conversation with Barnett, she expressed that she isn't quite prepared to perform live again just yet.

Earlier this year, there were signals that she was gearing up for a return, especially when she was named an ambassador for Record Store Day UK. Celebrating the unexpected revival of vinyl in the music industry, she shared her own passion for the medium and introduced a limited 10-inch version of her single "Eat the Music," taken from her 1993 album Red Shoes.

Little Shrew is available to watch at no cost on Bush's website. She is urging her fans and viewers to contribute to War Child and other organizations that support children and youth in conflict areas.