They are back with a new name, a new bond, and a new album, “SOFT PLAY.'' The stars of the 2024 Festival Guide cover today announced that their next LP will be titled 'HEAVY JELLY' and will be released on July 19th.
The announcement comes after the release of last year's massive comeback single “Punk's Dead” and the duo's latest song after an extended hiatus (and subsequent name change in 2022), “Mirror Muscles.” Since 2018's Acts Of Fear And Love, Laurie Vincent has overcome grief and mental health issues to work on side projects (Larry Pink The Human and Baby Dave). Isaac Holman's new album is his first in six years. .
Rory commented on their new chapter: “We're not going to be the band that eloquently leads a protest march, but we might be the band that motivates you to go to the gym or start doing something productive, and that's important too.” . What we can do is sing about things we can relate to and share them with others. ”
At the same time as the announcement, their latest single “Act Violently” was released. The song was inspired by a very relatable near-miss on a speeding electric scooter (their experience took place outside The Libertines' Albion Room studio in Margate). “On the way back to the studio, we were talking about our disdain for electric scooter drivers,” Rory explained. “They should be illegal. They shouldn't be on the roads. There should be a theory test. It's a rich well for discussion and this song is about that.”
Watch the video for “Act Violently” now. You can also read more about “HEAVY JELLY” in his 2024 Festival Guide cover interview with SOFT PLAY below (or pick up a print copy of the magazine here!).