The Slow Readers Club share new single

As they prepare to release their new album ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ on February 24th, The Slow Readers Club’s recent singles ‘Modernise’ and the title track have earned 6 Music airplay from Steve Lamacq and Chris Hawkins. The album represents an evolutionary stage for the cult Manchester band, as they look to build upon the Top 10 success of their previous studio album ‘The Joy of the Return’.

‘Lay Your Troubles On Me’ initially spirals up the tension, its sparse, razor-tight post-punk topped by Aaron Starkie’s sombrely intoned vocals acknowledging someone else’s struggle. Yet amongst the darkness, the song erupts into a whirlpool of abrasive guitars and sparkling synths that feels like a shard of optimism as Aaron declares, “We’ll fight the fear.” It’s a microcosm of the ethos that The Slow Readers Club exalt throughout the ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ album – escaping life’s challenges isn’t always possible, but working together as a community can often avert the worst of their consequences.

The band commented, “‘Lay Your Troubles On Me’ was born out of a jamming session in our rehearsal room. We were jamming around the verse idea at rehearsals and then went for a brew break. When we came back we started on another idea but soon realised it was the same notes but with a completely different groove and feel. We didn’t want to lose either version and we loved the idea of the tune getting progressively louder and intense so we combined them. Working on this one in pre-production Joe helped us make the crescendo work well with a cool synth sound.

Lyrically it’s a song about recognising someone going through difficulties, reaching out and offering support. The vocal melody mostly came in the practice room but the high melody ‘hold on for dear life the ones you love’ over the crescendo came in the studio.”

‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ warns of the automated dystopian future ahead of us, but it also provides the positive uplift that the power of the collective spirit can provide an alternative vision. Musically it blurs the boundaries between anthemic alt-rock and sleek synth-rock, a natural next step for the band and a reinvigorated sound which will appeal to fans of Muse, Bloc Party and White Lies. The album is available to pre-order HERE.

Tickets for The Slow Readers Club’s upcoming European headline tour are selling fast – remaining tickets are available HERE. The band’s tour schedule was recently extended with confirmation of a show as special guests to Pixies at Cardiff’s International Arena.

FEBRUARY

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

MARCH

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

4^th – UK, Leeds, University Stylus

6^th – UK, Glasgow, SWG3

7^th – UK, Aberdeen, Lemon Tree

9^th – UK, Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

10^th – UK, Birmingham, O2 Academy 2

11^th – UK, Bristol, Thekla (SOLD OUT)

13^th – UK, Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms

14^th – UK, London, Lafayette