Our debut album is OUT NOW! What!!! That sounds so surreal to say. Honestly this is a dream come true. We love this album with all of our hearts we are so happy you get to hear it finally. We hope you enjoy. https://t.co/iTeUhDvhP9

❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/txBOhouiA8

— New Hope Club (@NewHopeClub) February 14, 2020

The group is made up of members Blake Richardson (lead vocals, guitar, piano), George Smith (guitar, piano, backing vocals), and Reece Bibby (bass, drums, backing vocals). In an interview with Daily Star, Smith revealed that the band is hoping their songwriting will really come through and set them apart from other bands, like One Direction, who they are often compared to.

He said “It’s always been a big thing for us to write our own songs as well because our favourite bands like the Beatles, who were like the first band to ever really write all of their own songs, and then Oasis too, following in their footsteps.”

Having built a strong relationship with their fans since they formed in 2015, New Hope Club has updated followers through their social media, sharing tours, releases, and their daily life. This is how the band promoted the new album, with the first mention back in September 2019. Smith spoke about their fans, saying “They have always been supportive of everything”.

The album reached number 5 on the UK Official Album Chart, with an incredible response from fans and critics. Many of the songs on the album were already released as singles, with 2017 song ‘Fixed’ now at 14 million streams on Spotify. New Hope Club collaborated with DJ R3HAB on ‘Let Me Down Slow’ for the album, creating a music video to go which is currently at 1 million views on their YouTube channel.

Also on the channel, the trio regularly upload live performances, challenge videos, and covers of their favourite artists, including Harry Styles’ ‘Adore You’, Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Before You Go’ and Dua Lipa’s ‘Don’t Start Now’. This is another amazing way that the band connects with their following and continues to have so much fun with their music.

When the album was released, the band held signings in Edinburgh, Leeds, and Kingston, and plan to tour the UK in April. Check out the full tour dates below and get tickets on the official website.

05/04/2020 – Olympia Theatre – Dublin, Ireland
09/04 – O2 Institute – Birmingham, UK
11/04 – Eventim Hammersmith Apollo – London, UK
14/04 – O2 Ritz Manchester – Manchester, UK
16/04 – SWG3 Studio Warehouse – Glasgow, UK

DEBUT ALBUM TOUR – get your tickets now, you don’t want to miss out ❤️ https://t.co/76YYLNbLcp pic.twitter.com/O0o18iEJKv

— New Hope Club (@NewHopeClub) February 26, 2020

The three members of New Hope Club joined in 2015 after Bibby left his band Stereo Kicks, who had appeared on The X Factor. They were discovered by another UK band The Vamps, who signed New Hope Club to their label Steady Records (a subsidiary of Virgin EMI Records). The band went on support The Vamps on multiple tours, release their own EPs and singles, and eventually headline their own shows in 2018.

The singer-songwriter has always suffered from anxiety, as so many in the industry do, and while his career had been blowing up, his mental health had slipping on a downward spiral. Garratt’s debut album ‘Phase’ won him the Brit award for Critics’ Choice in 2016, gaining him a lot of attention and praise. Despite the success, the spotlight and constant comparisons to other artists knocked his confidence hugely.

Now, Jack Garratt has made his way back to music, rekindling his love and passion, and being totally honest while he does it. His EP is the first of four volumes, which will end up being compiled into a 12 track album, due to be released on 29th May under Island Records. As described by Garratt himself, the music is for anyone “who likes dancing but doesn’t necessarily want to go out on a Saturday”. Along with the album, a film is in the works to bring the songs to life through the visual – to show the cycle of his mental health.

The lead song, ‘Time’ aired on Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show as the Hottest Record in the World, and has a video on YouTube which came out on the same day as the EP – this is the first video from the film. In just two days the video, which shows Garratt dancing alone in rooms filled with colourful lights, has reached over 40,000 views. The end of the visual only includes white lights, perhaps symbolising Garratt’s return to the stage and the spotlight.

As if fans weren’t already overjoyed with all the announcements and releases, the artist will also head out on tour this month, with shows in the UK and Europe. Check out tickets for the ‘Work in Progress’ tour on his website. Though he has sold out seven shows so far, Garratt has added two new dates in London, and making five dates available and totalling twelve shows.

Now age 28, the singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, and musician has always made music while exploring other avenues such as teaching, but signed with indie label Nickel and Dime to write multiple EPs and singles, as well as the album ‘Phase’. Through this time, he performed at festivals all over the UK and parts of Europe, as well as touring with Mumford and Sons in 2015. ‘Love, Death & Dancing’ is the first we’ve heard from him since his last album; the discussion about mental health is so important in the music industry, so by talking about his own mental health, Garratt has made a closer connection to his fans and helped many.