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.”
‘Lay Your Troubles On Me’ was written by The Slow Readers Club, with production courtesy of Joe Cross (Hurts, Courteeners, Louis Tomlinson).
The Slow Readers Club also recently announced details of a special ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ album preview listening party, which will be held at the National Trust’s stunning new Castlefield Viaduct Sky Park on February 16th. The event will see Andy Burnham, the Major of Greater Manchester and a huge Slow Readers Club fan, join the band to listen through each song and to discuss the stories, themes and inspiration behind the record. The event will be hosted by Chris Hawkins. Tickets were only available to winners of a prize draw, with all fans who pre-ordered the album automatically entered into the competition.
The band will commemorate the occasion with the release of a limited edition The Slow Readers Club x Castlefield Viaduct t-shirt, which will be sold on the night and via the band’s official store. All profits will go to the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct fund to support planning a greener future for the Castlefield Viaduct, which will benefit the great city of Manchester and everyone who visits, lives or works here.
‘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.
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.
