In a recent interview with Australia’s Triple M radio station, AC/DC guitarist Angus Young spoke about the inspiration for the title of the band’s latest album, “Power Up”. He said (hear audio below): “I went through everything — like titles in songs. In the song ‘Realize’, there’s the line, ‘I’ve got the power to mesmerize.’ The word ‘power,’ it goes back to the name AC/DC. We always looked at ourselves as that of power, electric power. So I just wanted another, if you could say, okay, what could you call AC/DC, and you say they’re power. And I just thought something positive: power up. When we get on a stage, we plug in the guitars and everything powers up when we’re out there.”
Angus‘s latest comments echo those he made in a recent promotional video in which he stated about his decision to about the name the LP “Power Up”: “It was just a good title to sum up the album. We wanted something that summed up the band.” With AC/DC literally meaning “alternating current/direct current”, Angus said he wanted a title with the word “power” in it, “and ‘Power Up’ seemed pretty positive.”
“Power Up” is a tribute to Angus‘s brother Malcolm Young, who died in 2017 from effects of dementia at age 64. Malcolm is credited as a writer on all 12 tracks on “Power Up”, along with Angus.
“Power Up” hit the No. 1 spot in 18 countries, including in the U.S., where it sold over 117,000 copies in the first week. The LP marks AC/DC‘s sixth No. 1 album in Australia where the band is the only Australian group in history to have had a No. 1 album across five decades: “Back In Black” (1980s), “Ballbreaker Live” (1990s), “Black Ice” (2000s), “Rock Or Bust” (2010s) and “Power Up” (2020s). The album also holds Germany’s biggest first week of 2020 and the biggest first week for an international act in four years, as well as being the U.K.’s fastest-selling album of 2020 and the biggest first week of the year.
“Power Up” is the fastest-selling album of 2020 in at least three of its biggest markets — U.S., Australia and the U.K. In the U.K., it opened with first-week sales of 62,000. 52,955 units of these were on a physical format (CD, vinyl, cassette).
“Power Up” features AC/DC‘s 2020 lineup of Brian Johnson (vocals), Phil Rudd (drums), Cliff Williams (bass), Angus (guitar) and Stevie Young (guitar). The LP was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O’Brien, who also worked 2008’s “Black Ice” and 2014’s “Rock Or Bust”.
“Power Up” is available in multiple configurations, including digital, CD, and deluxe versions. The limited edition, one-of-a-kind deluxe “Power Up” box is the ultimate fan package. Hit the button on the side of the box and watch the flashing neon AC/DC logo light up while the opening bars of “Shot In The Dark” blast out of the built-in speaker. Inside the box is the full CD package in a soft-pack with a 20-page booklet that features exclusive photos and USB charging cable allowing the box to remain powered up and on display. The vinyl LP was pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket. Limited-edition variants of the LP are available at select retailers nationwide, as well as the band’s online store.
