The wait is over – Do Nothing have unleashed their eagerly anticipated second album, 'Friend World', on to the world, and what a bombshell it is! Slated for release on 6th November, this Nottingham-based quartet are about to take listeners on a sonic journey that's equal parts melancholic and mesmerising. To whet our appetites, they've dropped the single 'Stars', a track that marks a bold new chapter in their musical evolution.
'Stars' is a game-changer – ditching the guitar-centric soundscapes of their 2023 debut, 'Snake Sideways', for something altogether more innovative. Drum machine patterns and squelchy synths take centre stage, creating a soundscape that's both haunting and hypnotic. Frontman Chris Bailey's lyrics are like a siren's call – "We’re stars, the world is a worm on a strong / Hanging around, let’s not amount to anything" – hinting at themes of ambition and connection that will leave you breathless.
The band's creative process for 'Friend World' has been all about experimentation, with Bailey revealing that abandoning the guitar was a liberating experience. "It was useful," he says, "because it allowed us to discover energy and momentum through less conventional means." This bold approach is a far cry from their debut, where they felt the need to challenge audience expectations. With 'Friend World', they've thrown off the shackles of expectation and are free to pursue their wildest ideas.
Recorded at JT Soar in Nottingham, with production and mixing courtesy of Louis Milburn of Folly Group, 'Friend World' is a cultural melting pot – drawing inspiration from everyone from novelist Elizabeth Smart to leftfield comedian Andy Kaufman. Bailey was particularly taken by Kaufman's song title 'This Friendly World', interpreting its lyrics as tongue-in-cheek. This duality is reflected in the album itself – a complex web of light and dark that refuses to be pigeonholed.
Bailey admits that while 'Friend World' delves into some bleak subjects, the overall tone is anything but bleak. In fact, he's never been prouder or more thrilled by a project than this one. And it shows – from the album's 11 tracks to its very title, everything about 'Friend World' screams of excitement and possibility. So get ready to immerse yourself in this sonic masterpiece!