Sheffield legend Richard Hawley is set to release his long-awaited eighth studio album Further on 7 June.
There’s no rest for the beloved Sheffielder these days. With Standing At The Sky’s Edge opening later this month and two special shows at London’s EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) in May, 2019 is already shaping up to be busy year for the Pitsmoor-born crooner after announcing details of his first album in four years, Further.
The album was made largely in Sheffield with the aid of Hawley’s crack band and co-producers Colin Elliot and Shez Sheridan. It marks a change in the songwriter’s titling, as it’s the first album not to be named after a Sheffield landmark or icon. With Further, Hawley aims to encapsulate the idea of moving forward, but without discarding his past.
Hawley told Exposed: “I really wanted to challenge myself to try to keep things relatively up-tempo and keep the songs to about three minutes long. I was asking myself ‘Can you get your message across like a bullet? Can you still do that?’ It’s quite a tough question to ask.”
However, that’s not to imply it lacks substance. The album features an array of Hawley’s trademark heartfelt songs. One song in particular, ‘My Little Treasures’, has been in the works for 12 years and tells the depths of emotions he experienced following the death of his father.
Speaking about the album, Hawley said “We’re all bombarded by so much hateful stuff at the moment that I was determined to make something that is really loving. Some of the songs definitely reflect that and deal with what’s going on. The song ‘Not Lonely’ is a good example. It deals with the stage that I hope our children get to, that stage where they can have a place of their own, being able to find their own space and luxuriate in it.”
Further tracklisting:
1. Off My Mind
2.Alone
3.My Little Treasures
4.Further
5.Emilina
6.Is There A Pill
7.Galley Girl
8.Not Lonely
9.Time Is
10.Midnight Train
11.Doors
Further is out on 7 June and you can pre-order the album here.
Hawley plays EartH (Hackney Arts Centre) on 6 and 7 of May. For tickets visit: seetickets.com
In association with https://www.sivtickets.com, the local box office.
