The Slow Readers Club Modernise Ahead Of New Tour

Photo by Trust A Fox Photography here

From its retrofuturist EBM influenced opening, through an Irvine Welsh-style bridge, all the way to its euphoric arena rock climax, ‘Modernise’ is a fantastic teaser for the upcoming new album from Slow Readers Club.

Find info and tour dates below. Looking forward to seeing them back in Dublin!

One of the greatest self-made stories in contemporary British rock music and one of our biggest cult bands, The Slow Readers Club today share their new single ‘Modernise’. It’s the second track to preview the Manchester band’s new album ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’, which follows on February 24th. The record is their first full studio album since ‘The Joy Of The Return’ became their first to crash into the Top 10 in 2020.

As the opening track to ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’, ‘Modernise’ sets the agenda that emerges as the rest of the album unfolds. It presents a post-capitalist dystopia in which the demands of technology, automation and always-on work culture overwhelms the individual until prayer becomes the only possible salvation. And yet the album’s undercurrent of hope and defiance offers an alternative - it’s not too late to take a stand. Sonically it’s completely in tune with its subject matter, as ultra-precise electro beats and a buzzsaw industrial-synth riff fight for prominence with the raw humanity of Aaron Starkie’s vocal.

The band commented, “‘Modernise’ is about the constant need to learn and adapt to changing, it’s a bit of a techno fear song.”

As with the rest of the upcoming album, ‘Modernise’ was written by the band, with production from Joe Cross (Hurts,  Courteeners, Louis Tomlinson).

‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ was launched alongside its title track, which continued the critical acclaim and cult adoration that has become a hallmark of their career. Premiered by Chris Hawkins at 6 Music, the track received further airplay at Amazing Radio and XS Manchester, was added to Apple’s New in Alternative playlist, and received news coverage from Louder Than War, Live4Ever and Atwood, who described it as, “an exhilarating, energizing anthem that seeks to spread a little more light and love in the world.”

The two songs provide an insight into what to expect from the ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ album. Its hybrid of strident synth-rock and anthemic alt-rock recall feels like a kindred spirit to Muse, White Lies and modern day Bloc Party as The Slow Readers Club step into a new future - both stylistically and thematically. While it’s a warning sign of the potential imbalance between mankind and machine, it’s also a positive declaration that the future is still ours to dictate. As we’ve seen in the past, using knowledge in the pursuit of freedom and power will be just as vital in the years to come.

FEBRUARY

5th - UK, Bury, The Met (Independent Venue Week show - SOLD OUT)

MARCH

2nd – UK, Barrow-in-Furness, Barrow Library (SOLD OUT)

4th - UK, Leeds, University Stylus

6th - UK, Glasgow, SWG3

7th - UK, Aberdeen, Lemon Tree

9th - UK, Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

10th - UK, Birmingham, O2 Academy 2

11th - UK, Bristol, Thekla

13th - UK, Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms

14th - UK, London, Lafayette

17th - UK, Manchester, Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)

APRIL

14th - UK, Belfast, Limelight 2

15th - Ireland, Dublin, Academy