Big Special announce debut album ‘POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES’

Big Special the Black Country duo have announced their debut album, POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES, is going to be released on 10 May via SO Recordings.

This debut offering promises to be a poignant exploration of the human experience, capturing the essence of contemporary England through the lens of mental health, societal disenchantment, and artistic expression.

With their lead single, “DUST OFF / START AGAIN,” Big Special offers listeners a glimpse into the sonic landscape of their forthcoming album. The track, characterized by biting spoken word, soul-stirring vocals, and powerful instrumentation, serves as a testament to the band's unwavering commitment to authenticity and social commentary. Lead singer Joe Hicklin's impassioned delivery confronts issues of housing, ownership, and the mental toll of societal neglect, providing a poignant backdrop for the album's overarching themes.

In discussing the album lead singer Joe Hicklin said:

“POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES is an exploration of depression in its various forms—personal, social, and generational. It's a raw and unfiltered portrayal of the working-class experience in modern England, infused with themes of resilience, introspection, and the pursuit of hope amidst adversity.

To celebrate the album, Big Special will embark on a UK headline tour, followed by appearances at various summer festivals across Europe.

Save the date for POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES, and watch the video for “DUST OFF / START AGAIN”:

Upcoming live dates

• 3 Apr: Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, UK (DIY Now & Next tour)

• 04 Apr: Bullingdon, Oxford, UK (DIY Now & Next tour)

• 05 Apr: Yellow Arch Studio, Sheffield, UK (DIY Now & Next tour)

• 06 Apr: Green Door Store, Brighton, UK (DIY Now & Next tour)

• 07 Apr: Joiners, Southampton, UK (DIY Now & Next tour)

• 12 Apr: New Century Hall, Manchester, UK (supp. Antony Szmierek)

• 13 Apr: Lafayette, London, UK (supp. Antony Szmierek)

• 07 May: District, Liverpool, UK

• 08 May: The Key Club, Leeds, UK

• 09 May: XOYO, Birmingham, UK

• 10 May: King Tuts, Glasgow, UK

• 12 May: Strange Brew, Bristol, UK

• 16 May: Jazz Café, London, UK

• 17 May: Horatio’s, Brighton, UK (The Great Escape 2024)

• 18 May: Deaf Institute, Manchester, UK

• 20 May: Kasbah Club, Limerick, Ireland

• 21 May: Workman’s Cellar, Dublin, Ireland

• 22 May: Ulster Sports Bar, Belfast, Northern Ireland

• 24 May: Netherlands, Den Haag, Zwarte Ruiter (Sniester Festival)

• 26 May: Bearded Theory Festival, Derbyshire, UK

• 27 May: Paradiso Upstairs, Amsterdam, Netherlands

• 28 May: Effenaar, Eindhoven, Netherlands

• 30 May: Block Party Festival, Paris, France

• 31 May: Vestrock, Hulst, Netherlands

• 01 Jun: Dauwpop Festival, Hellendoorn, Netherlands

• 26 Jul: Low Festival, Benidorm, Spain

• 28 Jul: Latitude Festival, Suffolk, UK

• 23 Aug: Reading Festival, Reading, UK

• 24 Aug: Leeds Festival, Leeds, UK