Howling Bells - watch new track 'Chimera' - UK Tour announced - New album 'Strange Life' out 13 February
- Desh Kapur
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
HOWLING BELLS
NEW TRACK 'CHIMERA' OUT NOW
UK IN-STORE TOUR IN FEBRUARY + UK TOUR IN MARCH AND APRIL 2026
NEW ALBUM 'STRANGE LIFE' OUT 13 FEBRUARY 2026 VIA NUDE RECORDS
THE FIRST IN OVER 12 YEARS
Howling Bells have recently announced the release of 'Strange Life', their first album in over 12 years, on the 13th February 2026 via Nude Records.
Today, they release a new album track, 'Chimera'.
Juanita explains: "Chimera is a strange word. It means a few different and curious things; in this context, however, I’m using it to mean something of an absurd nature, unattainable, a fantasy. Such is the relationship we have with music at times. This song speaks to my experience as a musician, surviving the perpetual ups and downs of the game. But if you’re lucky enough, you have someone who can cut through the noise and help you realise that the fantasy is half the joy. That the longing is part of the journey and that our achievements along the way are deeply meaningful. At its core, 'Chimera' is a song about hope and relinquishing control".
The band has recently shared their comeback single 'Unbroken', a brooding yet soaring anthem and 'Heavy Lifting', a song featuring loose-limbed drums and bluesy intonation.
Howling Bells have announced a series of UK in-store shows in February, followed by a headline UK tour in March and April.
FEBRUARY UK IN-STORE SHOWS
Friday 13th February – Rough Trade Denmark Street - TICKETS
Saturday 14th February – Crash, Leeds - TICKETS
Sunday 15th February – Jacaranda, Liverpool - TICKETS
Monday 16th February – Truck, Oxford - TICKETS
Tuesday 17th February – Banquet, Kingston - TICKETS
Wednesday 18th February – Pie & Vinyl, Southsea (daytime) - TICKETS
+ Vinilo, Southampton (evening) - TICKETS
Thursday 19th February – Gatefield Sounds, Whitstable - TICKETS
MARCH/APRIL UK TOUR
Pre-sale tickets below - Tickets go on general sale on 9th December at 10 AM
Thursday 12 March - Think Tank - Newcastle - TICKETS
Friday 13 March - King Tuts - Glasgow - TICKETS
Saturday 14 March - Brudenell Social Club - Leeds - TICKETS
Sunday 15 March - Deaf Institute - Manchester - TICKETS
Thursday 19 March - Bodega - Nottingham - TICKETS
Friday 20 March - Clwb Ifor Bach - Cardiff - TICKETS
Sunday 22 March - Wedgewood Rooms - Portsmouth - TICKETS
Tuesday 24 March - Oslo - London - TICKETS
Thursday 26 March - Fleece - Bristol - TICKETS
Friday 27 March - The Sugarmill - Stoke - TICKETS
Saturday 28 March - Hallamshire Hotel - Sheffield - TICKETS
Sunday 29 March - The Waterfront Studio - Norwich - TICKETS
Thursday 23 April - Alphabet - Brighton - TICKETS
Friday 24 April - Dead Wax - Birmingham - TICKETS
Since their beginnings, breaking through with their acclaimed self-titled debut back in 2006 amidst a landscape of scrappy British indie and skinny-jeaned male dominance, the Australian trio - vocalist/guitarist Juanita Stein, her brother and guitarist Joel Stein and drummer Glenn Moule - have been something of an anomaly. They might have moved to the other side of the world in pursuit of the dreams that soon became a reality, playing at an NME Tour and then in stadiums supporting Coldplay whilst whipping up acclaim from the most credible ends of the music press. They may have seen various members come and go, but Howling Bells’ hypnotic indie rock always stood apart from the pack and was very much a reflection of their unbreakable union. Influenced by the likes of Tom Waits and Sonic Youth, as well as Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, and Björk, their recipe created a heady, immersive stew - equal parts sepia-toned romance and gritty rock 'n' roll thrills.
‘Strange Life’ is both a vibrant document of and an exploratory testament to this alchemical magic.
The band’s first album since 2014's ‘Heartstrings’, 'Strange Life' was recorded with Howling Bells’ long-time friend and collaborator, producer Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode, Elbow) at his Agricultural Audio Studios.
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