Snow Patrol overcome a bout of writer's block and that the songs written for the new album were scrapped before being replaced by new "mind-boggling" material. On 28 January 2018, the band's social media announced the upcoming release of their seventh studio album, entitled "Wildness", which was released on 25 May 2018. The promotional video simply showed lead singer Gary Lightbody floating on a raft with a piano and seemingly trying to phone someone who is engaged. The success of Snow Patrol has influenced the thriving Belfast music scene positively. This includes Lightbody, who returned to the city and now lives there.
Ian MacDonald Lightbody he served until 1977 and was appointed Secretary for Administration. He acted as Chief Secretary of Hong Kong in 1978. He was also an official member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and Executive Council of Hong Kong. For his public services, he was invested as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1974 New Year Honours. He retired from the government in 1978 and was appointed chairman of the Public Service Commission. He retired to the United Kingdom in 1980. Ian MacDonald Lightbody Ian MacDonald Lightbody, CMG, JP (19 August 1921