These New Puritans: happiness in solitude

Recording as we walked, Jack Barnett of These New Puritans joined me on this special episode of the podcast that captures the sounds of our shared hometown, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.It’s hardly a place known for the type of progressive music that Jack and his twin brother George have made since forming the band in 2006, but during our conversation he confirms my suspicions – TNP have such a distinct, heads-down approach to making music, it really doesn’t matter where Jack bases himself to write and produce these albums of classical, industrial, jazz and ballad explorations. Records made in Berlin, London and Greece all have a distinct TNP feeling of bleak beauty. Kind of like Southend itself.The band’s new album is called Crooked Wing (out 23 May via the Domino label) and has taken another 6 years to make. It features Caroline Polachek, choirs, church organs, field recordings and songs about cranes falling in love.Upcoming live datesThe new video for ‘A Season In Hell’ starting Alexander Skarsgård‘Industrial Love Song’ feat. Caroline Polachek‘Bells’Sign up at loudandquiet.substack.com to hear the full episode. Already a subscriber? Link your subscription to your phone's podcast app of choice by visiting any Substack post and tapping the icon of your preferred app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit loudandquiet.substack.com/subscribe