ALBUM REVIEW – THE PALE WHITE – ” THE BIG SAD “
- Desh Kapur
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
THE PALE WHITE
THE BIG SAD
OUT 18TH APRIL
END OF THE WALL RECORDING
WORDS DESH KAPUR
“No Label, No Limits: The Pale White Hit Hard on The Big Sad”
There’s something in the Tyne these days. The North East of England has long harbored raw musical talent, and in recent years, that potential has surged into something louder, more confident, and undeniably exciting. Leading the charge is Newcastle’s own The Pale White, a three-piece rock outfit comprised of brothers Adam and Jack Hope alongside bassist John Barrow. With the release of their sophomore album The Big Sad, the band is making a bold statement — and they’re doing it entirely on their own terms.
Due out April 18 via their own label, End of the Wall Recordings, The Big Sad marks a significant evolution for The Pale White. Self-produced and self-recorded, the album sees the band return to their roots in Wallsend and Newcastle, channeling the defiance, grit, and creative freedom that shaped their earliest days. It’s a record forged in independence, and every moment pulses with the energy of a group refusing to compromise.
From the very first track, it's clear The Big Sad isn’t interested in playing it safe. Gone are the heavy fuzz pedals of their earlier work, replaced by driving guitars, rich melodies and delicate harmonies with sharp, dynamic arrangements and an emotional range that cuts deeper than ever before. The band has described the record as “an album born from the ashes of dark times,” alluding to personal upheavals — including the departure of founding member Tom Booth — and the disorienting years of pandemic lockdowns. Rather than buckle under the pressure, The Pale White have turned adversity into artistic fuel, crafting a body of work that bristles with intensity, vulnerability, and hard-won perspective.
Lead single "Lost In The Moment" encapsulates that growth perfectly: an anthemic, cinematic track that builds from shimmering nostalgia into a towering chorus, it reflects on those fleeting moments of clarity when everything feels still. Meanwhile, "Nostradamus" takes a more satirical turn, firing shots at armchair prophets and keyboard experts, with a sharp lyrical bite wrapped in blistering guitar work. Across 13 tracks, the album veers between swaggering rock grooves, stripped-back introspection, and bold experimentation — each song showcasing a band more confident and self-assured than ever.
The Pale White’s live credentials are already formidable. Having just wrapped a 10-date headline UK tour and a coveted support slot with Frank Black, the band are now gearing up to hit the road with none other than Pixies (you can hear the Pixies influence in this record,) — for the third time — across Europe in April and May. For a band that formed back in 2016, that kind of cosign from alternative royalty feels like a well-earned full-circle moment. And its because of records like this.
Support from tastemakers like BBC Radio 1, Radio X, and Triple J has fueled The Pale White’s rise, but The Big Sad is the clearest proof yet that they don’t need validation — they’ve found their voice, and it’s loud, fearless, and built to last. With this record, the band has carved out a space entirely their own, one that honors their past while hurtling forward into something even bigger.
If The Big Sad is any indication, The Pale White aren’t just part of the North East’s music revival — they’re leading it.
‘THE BIG SAD’ TRACKLIST
Lost In The Moment
Final Exit
Woolly Thunder
I’m Sorry (This Time)
January, Please
Preparing For The Big Sad
There’s An Echo
Real Again
Trapped In The Vacuum
Interlude
Nostradamus
My Abacus
The Big Sad
FOLLOW THE PALE WHITE
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