New album Further (out 31st May) marks a departure for Hawley who has, to date, named all his albums after Sheffield icons or landmarks. Challenging himself to keep things relatively up-tempo and keep the songs to about three minutes long, Further is quite possibly his most forthright album to date, clocking in at under 40 minutes.

Opening track, the thunderous, Rickenbacker thrasher Off My Mind, sets the album’s direct tone. Other songs that display similar swagger includes the Glam stomp of Alone, the outlaw tale that is Galley Girl and the album’s centrepiece, the grungey Is There A Pill.

Tender moments come in the form of the sumptuous ballads, the beautiful yet simple Emilina Says, the yearning Midnight Train and album closer, Doors. All features Hawley’s rich baritone and gift for writing the type of heartfelt songs that have made him the revered songwriter he is today.

My Little Treasures – a song based on the deep personal experience of encountering two of his father’s oldest friends following the latter’s death in 2007 that Hawley has taken 12 years to record  – is not only one of the album’s standout tracks, but also the centrepiece of the hugely successful musical Standing At The Sky’s Edge (the musical that bears the name of Hawley’s sixth studio album), which recently finished its sold-out run at the Sheffield Crucible Theatre.

Featuring 20 Hawley songs (including three from the new album), the musical chronicles the life of three families who live on the city’s Park Hill estate across three generations. It is a local story that covers global issues. Receiving across the board acclaim – awarded 4 stars in The Guardian, The Times, Daily Telegraph, Observer and Metro – it is the most successful musical at the Crucible since it opened in 1948. 

It continues Hawley’s journey beyond pure musical performance and into the world of stage and screen – something which he has begun with his increasing soundtrack work on films such as 2018’s Funny Cow (starring Maxine Peake) and Denmark(starring Rafe Spall and due out later this year).

Further will be available on CD, LP, Limited Edition Orange LP, Limited Edition Picture Disc, cassette, digital download and streaming services. Pre-order link: https://Hawley.lnk.to/FurtherPR

October tour:

2nd    Bristol O2 Academy

3rd    Cardiff University Great Hall

4th    Norwich UEA

6th    Oxford O2 Academy

7th    Manchester Albert Hall

8th    Liverpool Guild Of Students

10th    Birmingham O2 Institute

11th    Sheffield Octagon

14th    Newcastle Northumbria Institute

15th    Glasgow Barrowland

17th    London Roundhouse

18th    Brighton Dome

Tickets on sale 9am, Friday 17th May. Visit Richard’s official website for more info: http://www.richardhawley.co.uk/ 

 

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