Only Twin, the solo project of all time faves Thomas Dutton, has announced his sophomore album It Feels Nice to Burn, set for release on 19 July. Known for his work with indie-emo band Forgive Durden and synth-pop duo Cardiknox, Dutton's new album continues his exploration of love, rebirth, and new beginnings, building on themes from his debut album Rare Works (2021).
On It Feels Nice to Burn, Dutton re-discovers the music that makes him feel whole, striking a balance between left-of-centre indie pop and dreamy rock. The album marks a new chapter for Dutton as he embraces fatherhood and celebrates a profound love. While the album resonates with domestic bliss, it also explores the moments of tension that add stakes to idyllic love stories. The album’s title reflects a duality: a nod to both “burning everything to the ground and starting over” and the feeling of “burning for someone new.”
The album features the breathtaking new single “Love Of A Lifetime,” a synth-driven love song written for his wife. It joins previously released singles “Pool Day” ft. Emilia Ali and “Thirty Minutes.”
Growing up in Seattle, every show Dutton attended inspired a longing to be on stage, playing music that opened his eyes and ears in transformative ways. “I’m always trying to capture that feeling I had when I was discovering music that changed my life,” Dutton explains. His sophomore album, It Feels Nice to Burn, bottles that sense of nostalgia. “I still feel like that wide-eyed 13-year-old at his first show in a lot of ways.”
Now a father, Dutton’s life experiences have given new meaning to his music. On the single “Give You Up,” Dutton describes a pivotal moment in his relationship with his wife, singing, “I would dance on broken glass, if it meant I got another moment.” This declaration of love contrasts sharply with the themes of his debut album Rare Works, which dealt with the dissolution of a relationship and the end of a significant music project.
Since becoming independent, Dutton has released some of the most dynamic, genre-spanning music of his career. Inspired by artists like The 1975 and Bon Iver, Only Twin emerged as a necessary outlet for Dutton. After the dissolution of Cardiknox, he began producing full-time and started Only Twin to showcase his indie-pop aesthetic. “It started as a way to carve out a little space for myself,” he says. “But as I started reclaiming tracks I’d written for other people, the project gave me closure on a huge chapter in my life.”
It Feels Nice to Burn welcomes a new chapter in Dutton's life, marked by his love affair with his wife. On “Born Again,” he describes the sense of renewal he felt when they started dating, singing, “I'm really dying baby/ And I’m ready to be born again, it’s true/ Ready to be born with you.” His lyrics, rich in specificity, offer listeners a chance to deeply connect with his personal experiences.
The album’s closing track, “Love Of A Lifetime,” captures the essence of Dutton’s journey. Over a consoling guitar part and skittering drumbeat, his earnest delivery and lyrics pay homage to the everyday activities of an ordinary couple, celebrating the extraordinary love they share. “When she looks in my eyes/ I can hear the kids in the backyard,” he sings, a line he wrote before they had children. Small revelations like these abound on It Feels Nice to Burn, highlighting the depth and intimacy of Dutton's songwriting.
Tracklist for It Feels Nice to Burn:
Give You Up
Love Of A Lifetime
Pool Day ft. Emilia Ali
Thirty Minutes
Born Again
Come Back To Me
All I Need
Into The Fire
Burning Bright
Love Will Find A Way
With It Feels Nice to Burn, Only Twin invites listeners into a deeply personal and transformative journey, one that resonates with themes of love, renewal, and the everyday moments that make life extraordinary.
Save the date for It Feels Nice to Burn, and watch the visualiser for “Love Of A Lifetime”:
