Following the release of the contemplative ‘New Year, New Me’, Norway’s Sløtface share their new single ‘Tap The Pack’. The track is the latest to come from their upcoming second album, Sorry For The Late Reply, with the long-awaited LP, due for release on January 31 via Propeller Recordings. The album marks the first time the band have acted as co-producers, as they worked alongside Odd Martin Skålnes (Sigrid, Aurora) in creating their most accomplished body of work to date.

Building on the hurricane of momentum gathered by their bombastic 2017 debut Try Not To Freak Out, Sløtface’s second album channels their livewire energy into focussed but multi-faceted explorations of both Shea’s experiences of growing up in Norway with American parents, and of wider themes of self-acceptance and self-betterment.

Producer Odd Martin Skålnes’ pop sensibilities complement Sløtface’s knack for melody and memorability and the album bears the marks of influences as diverse as singer-songwriter Julien Baker and socially conscious Swedish rapper Silvana Imam. “It sounds like rock but it’s more defined, in a sense,” says Vikingstad of the end result.

Described by the band as more “minimalistic,” “braver” and more “raw” than their last effort, Sorry for the Late Reply features lyrics more pointed and delicately observed than ever, whether Shea is reflecting on a break-up (‘Stuff’), decrying the injustices faced by women and immigrants (‘S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’), or wistfully moving through her complex emotions about the U.S. and how her experience of nationality has shaped her (‘Passport’).

Alongside the release of ‘New year, new me’, the band recently announced an upcoming headline tour for March, following their last sold out run supporting Canadian punk heavyweights PUP. Please see below for all upcoming dates and further info on the new LP.

Upcoming UK tour dates:

Mar 14th | Southampton, UK @ The Joiners

Mar 15th | Bristol, UK @ Louisiana

Mar 16th | Cardiff, UK @ Clwb ifor Bach

Mar 18th | Nottingham, UK @ Bodega Social Club

Mar 19th | Liverpool, UK @ Arts Club Loft

Mar 20th | Leeds, UK @ Headrow House

Mar 21st | Newcastle, UK @ Think Tank

Mar 23rd | Glasgow, UK @ Broadcast

Mar 24th | Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute

Mar 26th | Birmingham, UK @ Hare & Hounds

Mar 27th | London, UK @ The Garage

Mar 28th | Brighton, UK @ Patterns

Mar 30th | Paris, FR @ Supersonic

Mar 31st | Amsterdam, NL @ Cinetol

Apr 1st | Antwerp, BE @ Kavka

Apr 3rd | Hamburg, DE @ Hafenklang

Apr 4th | Berlin, DE @ Badehaus

Apr 5th | Munich, DE @ Sunny Red

Sam Lee plays a unique role in the British music scene. He is a multi-award-winning singer with a rich and soulful voice, a committed folk song collector and a successful promoter of imaginative live events. With training in visual art and contemporary dance, Sam has presented acclaimed radio documentaries and appeared on stages around the globe. And if all that wasn’t enough, Sam Lee is also a passionate conservationist and highly effective environmental campaigner. This is seen through his work with Extinction Rebellion, Music Declares Emergency and the recent RSPB campaign, ‘Let Nature Sing’, where Sam helped get 3 minutes of birdsong into the UK Top 20 charts for the first time.

Sam Lee’s third album, Old Wow, his first for respected indie label, Cooking Vinyl, is due for release on January 31. The album will be accompanied by his most comprehensive UK tour to date. As with Sam’s previous albums, this latest album looks set to surprise, challenge and inspire.

Old Wow was recorded at RAK Studios and Studio 355 in London and is produced by Bernard Butler (Suede, MacAlmont & Butler) who also contributes electric guitar, an instrument Sam has never recorded with before. ‘It’s played so beautifully and sensitively here that you wouldn’t necessarily know it was an electric guitar at all!’. A remarkable and rare guest vocal is provided by Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins) with Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh of the acclaimed band, The Gloaming, joining on hardanger violin. Matthew Barley provides cello on two songs. There are also beautiful harmonies provided by Cosmo Sheldrake and spoken-word poet, Dizraeli. A dazzling supporting cast of musicians features: James Keay on piano, Misha Mullov-Abbado on bass and on percussion, Josh Green. Bucolic front cover artwork is provided by Alex Merry (Boss Morris - and designer for Gucci).

Old Wow is an album devoted to the natural world; a commitment that has dominated Sam’s heart and non-musical practice for more years than he has been singing. It’s an album about our complicated relationship with planet earth but also, about the impact that ecological crisis has on our sense of self and the place we call home. The title came to Sam during a journey in the wilds of Scotland, where he had gone to reconnect with nature. While alone on a mountainside, a buzzard suddenly swooped down and screamed right over his head. Sam felt he was 'receiving a message, telling me to listen properly and pay attention and the name ‘Old Wow’ surfaced. I use ‘Old Wow’ to describe that sense of wonder and magic that can, if listened to deeply enough, animate nature very powerfully. It also describes those experiences which exist beyond the natural realm which are often described in our folk songs.’

TOUR DATES

29 January 2020     Glasgow Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Strathclyde Suite)

31 January 2020     Newcastle Cluny

01 February 2020   Manchester Night and Day

03 February 2020   Nottingham Rescue Rooms

04 February 2020   Leeds City Varieties

05 February 2020   Birmingham Glee

06 February 2020   Exeter Phoenix

07 February 2020   Bodmin St Petroc’s Church

08 February 2020   Lyme Regis Marine Theatre

10 February 2020   Cambridge Junction 2

13 February 2020   Brighton St George’s

15 February 2020   Canterbury Gulbenkian Theatre

16 February 2020   Norwich Open

17 February 2020   London EartH

19 February 2020   Bristol St George’s 

21 February 2020   Cardiff The Gate