More about: The Horrors

Southend-on-sea’s finest export The Horrors today release their fifth studio album, the appropriately titled V.

The new album was recorded in London and produced by hitmaker Paul Epworth who has previously worked with Adele, FKA Twigs, Lorde, Rihanna and countless others.

First single, ‘Machine’ was released in June. Frontman Faris Badwan and co are claiming that V is their most diverse record to date.

Speaking of the album’s sonically eclectic nature, frontman Badwan says in a press release: "It is a risk. But life isn’t much fun without risk. It’s the antithesis of being creative if you know what you’re going to be doing every time.”

Keyboardist Tom Cowan chimed in: "It’s natural, if you do see yourself as an artist, to progress and not play it safe. Bowie pre-empted the modern condition of not being able to stay in one place for very long, and I get frustrated with bands who stay still. Because then it does become a career."

The album kicks off with ‘Hologram’, a scrunchy synth-laden piece of work that recalls Gary Human in his pomp. ‘Press Enter To Exit’ is a touch lighter, with Badwan almost in crooner mode: "what are you waiting for / when the cure is not a curse?"

‘Weighed Down’, another highlight, has a dreamy brooding quality with minimal groove garnished with snatches of surreal echo.

The Horrors previewed the LP live in July, and will hit the road next month climaxing with a show at Camden’s Koko on October 29. Dates below:

OCTOBER
16 – Belfast, Mandela Hall
17 – Dublin, Tivoli
19 – Glasgow, Qmu
20 - Newcastle, University
21 – Leeds, Beckett University
22 – Liverpool, Academy 1
24 – Birmingham, Institute
25 – Bristol, Bierkeller
26 – Cambridge, The Junction
28 – Brighton, Acca
29 – London, Koko

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More about: The Horrors