The London musician known for his flowing, poetic raps has seemed to “turn his focus to singing instead of rapping” on his fourth studio album, as noted by NME in their four-star review.

However, the plan was not always for Carner himself to sing on the record. On an appearance on YouTube series Chicken Shop Date, he told host Amelia Dimoldenbrg about how he had Fontaines DC frontman, Grian Chatten, in mind to feature.

These were the plans until Chatten seemingly ghosted Carner, leaving the London rapper to showcase his own singing capabilities. He told Dimoldenburg: “There were a few songs that I really wanted someone to sing on.

“We [Carner and Chatten] were talking for ages and then as soon as I talked about him being on one of my tunes, he just stopped replying. It’s kind of thanks to him that I’m singing on the album.”

Carner is gearing up to headline the Other Stage at Glastonbury next weekend, after previously headlining the West Holts Stage in 2023 to rave reviews.

He kicked off the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury last night (June 23) when he appeared on CBeebies Bedtime Stories reading I Touched the Sun by Leah Hayes. Mike Skinner and The Last Dinner Party’s Abigail Morris will also read on Bedtime Stories in the build-up to Glasto’.

@cbeebies Loyle Carner prepares for his Glastonbury headline performance with a brand new Bedtime Story. He reads his son’s favourite book ‘I Touched the Sun‘ by Leah Hayes. Mon 23 June at 6:50pm on CBeebies and iPlayer. More brand new stories this weekend from Worthy Farm! #CBeebies #CBeebiesBedtimeStories #LoyleCarner #BedtimeStory ♬ original sound – CBeebies Parenting

Speaking of his excitement in appearing on the acclaimed children’s show, Carner said: “Let’s go! I’ve practised for this every night in my son’s room. Reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story is just a magical thing to do. I know this story inside out – it’s my favourite book, and my son’s and my daughter’s. We read it almost every night.”

Fans will be looking forward to hearing Carner’s new album live for the first time at Worthy Farm on the weekend. 

In a four-star review, NME said about ‘hopefully!’: “This isn’t just Loyle Carner at his most refined, it is the start of a new chapter. As for what may come next, the answer is probably best explained in the lyrics to ‘Time To Go’: “Who am I supposed to be today? I don’t know / All I can do is take it slow.””

‘Hopefully!’ is available to stream now, or purchase from your local record store.

Following his Glastonbury headline set, Carner will head on a UK tour in November, kicking things off with four dates at London’s 02 Academy Brixton before heading to Cardiff, Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham and finally Manchester. Find any remaining tickets here.

Kneecap, the Irish rap trio known for their sharp political commentary and unapologetic love for Ireland, delivered a powerful set that included tracks such as ‘C.E.A.R.T.A’ and ‘Get Your Brits Out’. However, the night carried deeper significance as the band dedicated the concert to Móglaí Bap’s father, Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, who sadly passed away the night before.

In a heartfelt message posted on Instagram, Kneecap wrote:

“Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, father of Móglái Bap passed away last night.
He was an Irish language revolutionary, community activist, loving father, husband and an inspiration to many.
We are heartbroken.
Tonight’s concert at the SSE arena will be the largest Irish language gig in the city’s history.
Nothing would have made him prouder.
Tonight is for him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

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A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)

The tribute added an emotional depth to the evening, with Móglaí Bap expressing gratitude to the audience for their support. Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, a renowned Irish-language revolutionary and community activist, was an influential figure who played a leading role in promoting the Irish language in Belfast, making the dedication both poignant and fitting.

Grian Chatten’s surprise appearance on stage elevated the night further, thrilling the packed arena. Known for his politically charged lyrics and commanding presence, Chatten is the lead singer of Dublin’s Fontaines D.C., a band celebrated globally for hits like ‘Roman Holiday’ and ‘Boys in the Better Land’. Together with Kneecap, they performed ‘Better Way to Live’, a collaborative track that blends punk grit with Gaelic rap, exploring themes of celebrating small victories in ordinary days to make the mundane feel slightly better. The performance showcased how seamlessly different styles can converge to create something fresh and impactful.

The concert was not only a musical triumph but also a cultural milestone for Belfast. It underscored the importance of preserving and promoting the Irish language in a modern setting, with Kneecap leading a cultural renaissance. The trio has broken barriers by making the language vibrant, relevant, and accessible to new generations, and the Belfast gig was a breakthrough moment for the new generation of Gaelic speakers.

Chatten’s collaboration with Kneecap, as a fellow advocate for Irish identity, highlighted the unity within Ireland’s music scene. It demonstrated how artists from different genres can come together to celebrate their shared heritage, reinforcing the importance of having pride for your hometown.

This historic gig was more than just a night of music; it was a celebration of Gaelic and Irish identity. The tribute to a father’s legacy paired with a historic cultural achievement was heartwarming. Gearóid Ó Cairealláin’s impact was felt by all, as the evening stood as a testament to the power of language, identity, and art to inspire pride and passion for the people of Belfast.

Taking to Instagram, the Fontaines revealed the official artwork alongside the caption:

“We’ve got a new version of Skinty Fia coming out called Skinty Fia Go Deo, which translates to ‘Skinty Fia Forever’. The name memorialises a moment in time for us and brings together live sessions, covers and reworks from the Skinty Fia era.”

So far, however, fans have been deprived of a specific release date. Check out the post below:

Skinty Fia, Fontaines D.C.’s third studio album, was universally praised by critics upon its release last year. The LP became the group’s first number-one album in both Ireland and the UK and earned them a win at the 2023 Brit Awards, as well as a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2022 Choice Music Prizes.

Check out lead single “Jackie Down The Line” here:

Since Skinty Fia’s release, frontman Grian Chatten has embarked on a solo career, treating fans to a debut album in Chaos For The Fly. The project, which has been out since late June, marks a subtle departure from the electric guitar-based sound the Fontaines have cultivated over the years, favouring crooning vocals and acoustic finger-picking over driving bass-lines and snappy drums.

Listen to “Last Time Every Time Forever” from Chaos For The Fly: 

Meanwhile, a tireless Chatten has confirmed he and the band have been plotting their next move, and already have some rough ideas for their next record. Furthermore, he has admitted to becoming “increasingly bored and unsatisfied with writing for just a bassline and a drum kit”, and has even suggested that the future of Fontaines D.C. may see the band moving away from using guitars completely. 

“Whenever I have an idea for a tune, it doesn’t necessarily exist in a world of guitars and drums, even though those are the tools that we have to express ourselves with,” Chatten explained, going on to cite 808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West and ATliens-era OutKast as music that he currently finds himself coming back to the most.

Pre-order Skinty Fia Go Deo here.