On the eve of his UK headline tour, Will Varley today releases a new track ‘Let It Slide’, which arrives just ahead of his forthcoming fifth studio album Spirit Of Minnie, released 9 February 2018 through Xtra Mile Recordings. Preorder the album.
The nine date tour - which includes his largest London show to date at the iconic 02 Shepherds Bush Empire on album release day - sees Will performing for the first time backed by a full band. Easing along atop a languid sway, ‘Let It Slide’ finds Will and his band pared right back to create one of Spirit Of Minnie's most hushed and exposed moments yet. Listen here:
Just a few days after the release of Spirit Of Minnie, Will heads Stateside to join friends and labelmates Skinny Lister on a huge tour around USA, before returning to play live dates across Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Netherlands.
Following 2016’s much praised Kingsdown Sundown and a sold out show at London’s Union Chapel, Spirit Of Minnie marks a distinct change of direction for the singer songwriter, recording for the first time with a full band set up. Produced by Cameron McVey (Massive Attack, Portishead, Neneh Cherry), the new album expands on the pared back musical palette of Varley’s previous sound, all the while retaining his gift for painterly, affirming and immediate lyric writing.
Aided by McVey’s nuanced, widescreen production and already counting the likes of Billy Bragg, Valerie June and Frank Turner among his fans, the young songwriter from Deal seems poised for a huge 2018.
UK HEADLINE TOUR
30 January - Birmingham @ 02 Institute 3
31 January - Nottingham @ Rescue Rooms
1 February - Leeds @ Brudenell Social Club
2 February - Edinburgh @ La Belle Angele
3 February - Manchester @ Club Academy
6 February - Southampton @ 1865
7 February - Cardiff @ The Globe
8 February - Bristol @ Trinity Centre
9 February - London @ Shepherds Bush Empire
Spirit Of Minnie tracklisting
1. All Those Stars
2. Seven Days
3. Screenplays
4. Breaking The Bread
5. Statues
6. Spirit Of Minnie
7. Let It Slide
8. Postman
9. Insect