Talking about the album’s conception and meaning with Clash, Davie explains how the album attempts to discuss mental health in a frank and empathetic manner: “It’s the main overarching theme with this record… It probably speaks to our struggles and hopefully many other people’s too. Men are not very good at talking. We’re not really taught how to. Men have no idea how to talk about this stuff, certainly to each other“. Going on to provide further insight, Davie reveals that elbow’s The Seldom Seen Kid was a big inspiration both musically and lyrically for him and fellow band member Kevin Jones: “We spoke at length about this album while recording ‘Blue Hours’. We’d both been fans of elbow for a long time but this record felt like musically, lyrically and on a production level, everything clicked into place. There was a kind of bravery and an assuredness in the risks that elbow took on this record that only comes from a band that’s on top of their game. It’s a beautiful album and a favourite of both of ours.”

If their current position in the UK’s official album charts is anything to go by, then it seems they too are on top of their game. In a tweet recently put out by the band, they reveal that they are currently charting at a career high of number 5 in the midweeks.

We’re #5 in the UK album chart midweeks, and it’s all thanks to you legends! Pick up a copy of our new album from our online store, your local record shop or from our Bristol and London shows before Thursday and help make Blue Hours a top 10 record! https://t.co/UEIg9CCgeMpic.twitter.com/QrkguvHIsi

— Bear’s Den (@bearsdenmusic) May 17, 2022

Bear’s Den look to continue their success by touring non stop for the remainder of May at venues all around the UK and Ireland. You can catch them on the road at any of the dates below:

May 17 2022 – O2 Academy – Bristol

May 18 – Eventim Apollo – London

May 21 – 3Olympia Theatre – Dublin, IE

May 22 – Albert Hall – Manchester

May 23 – O2 Academy – Glasgow

May 25 – University Of Newcastle – Newcastle

May 26 – O2 Institute – Birmingham

May 27 – Stylus – Leeds

The teaser for Gabriel can be found below:

Gabriel pic.twitter.com/EEaJO3XMSa

— Bear's Den (@bearsdenmusic) May 9, 2016

and ‘New Jerusalem’ was released on their Facebook page here.

With the album officially being released in two months these releases don’t come as much of a surprise, as releasing teasers of songs often precedes the releases of official singles; so hopefully in a few days or weeks we will get one or two full new songs from Bear’s Den!

Listen to my personal favourite Bear’s Den song below:

The official release date for the album is the 22nd July. The album news was also released in conjuncture with a European tour announcement, the full list of dates and venues can be found below:

5/4 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hello Tomorrow Festival
6/4 – Munich, Germany – Backstage Club
8/4 – Berlin, Germany – Musik & Frieden big
9/4 – Hamburg, Germany – Molotow
10/4 – Cologne, Germany – Studio 672
14/4 – Oslo, Norway – Bla
16/4 – Stockholm, Sweden – Kagelbanan Ostra
10/6 – Landgraaf, The Netherlands – Pinkpop
18/6 – London, England – Bushstock
2/7 – Arras, France – Main Square Festival
3/7 – Werchter, Belgium – Rock Werchter
8/7 – Strathallan Castle, Scotland – T in the Park
18/10 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Medis
19/10 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
21/10 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
23/10 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks Club
24/10 – Cologne, Germany – Essigfabrik
26/10 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys Neue Welt
27/10 – Munich, Germany – Theaterfabrik
28/10 – Zurich, Switzerland – Xtra
30/10 – Paris, France – Cafe de la Danse
1/11 – Brighton, England – The Dome
2/11 – Birmingham, England – 02 Institute
3/11 – Glasgow, Scotland – 02 ABC
4/11 – Manchester, England – Albert Hall
6/11 – Norwich, England – UEA
8/11 – London, England – 02 Academy Brixton
9/11 – Bristol, England – 02 Academy
12/11 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Melkweg
14/11 – Groningen, The Netherlands – Oosterpoort
15/11 – Utrecht, The Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg
16/11 – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique

Announcing our 2nd album Red Earth & Pouring Rain out July 22 +European tour! Tix+preorder https://t.co/KYTOt0VB5M pic.twitter.com/sb0OrizZE7

— Bear's Den (@bearsdenmusic) April 4, 2016

Bear’s Den enjoyed widespread success with their debut album ‘Islands’ which was released in 2014. Following their initial success they took to touring around the world, often supporting household indie folk names, such as Mumford & Sons, Daughter and Matt Corby.

Whilst the majority of their success has come commercially, Bear’s Den have also been recognised critically for their music. ‘Above the Clouds of Pompeii’ was nominated for an Ivor Novello award: ‘Best Song Musically and Lyrically’.

The announcement for their second album comes a few weeks after Bear’s Den broke the news that original member Joey Haynes was leaving the band to spend time with his family and friends. It is unconfirmed whether or not Haynes recorded music for the album, as Bear’s Den said the album was recorded a while ago. Either way it’ll be interesting to see whether their is a change in sound for the band. However seeing as Bear’s Den, when speaking about the process of recording the album, said that:

“We recorded it in Wales with Islands producer Ian Grimble, and with the sweet smell of banjos, synths, harmonies and an old battered oil tank thick in the air…whatever that means”

As previously mentioned as well, Bear’s Den are set to tour around Europe as well. Details for tickets and availability can be found here. The full list of tour dates and locations can be found below:

5/4 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hello Tomorrow Festival
6/4 – Munich, Germany – Backstage Club
8/4 – Berlin, Germany – Musik & Frieden big
9/4 – Hamburg, Germany – Molotow
10/4 – Cologne, Germany – Studio 672
14/4 – Oslo, Norway – Bla
16/4 – Stockholm, Sweden – Kagelbanan Ostra
10/6 – Landgraaf, The Netherlands – Pinkpop
18/6 – London, England – Bushstock
2/7 – Arras, France – Main Square Festival
3/7 – Werchter, Belgium – Rock Werchter
8/7 – Strathallan Castle, Scotland – T in the Park
18/10 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Medis
19/10 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
21/10 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
23/10 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks Club
24/10 – Cologne, Germany – Essigfabrik
26/10 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys Neue Welt
27/10 – Munich, Germany – Theaterfabrik
28/10 – Zurich, Switzerland – Xtra
30/10 – Paris, France – Cafe de la Danse
1/11 – Brighton, England – The Dome
2/11 – Birmingham, England – 02 Institute
3/11 – Glasgow, Scotland – 02 ABC
4/11 – Manchester, England – Albert Hall
6/11 – Norwich, England – UEA
8/11 – London, England – 02 Academy Brixton
9/11 – Bristol, England – 02 Academy
12/11 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Melkweg
14/11 – Groningen, The Netherlands – Oosterpoort
15/11 – Utrecht, The Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg
16/11 – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique

It’s been something of a whirlwind year for the boys. The Agape E.P was released earlier this year, they had a headline tour of the UK in February, they’ve played with Mumford and Sons on their US tour and on their Summer Stampede event at the Olympic Park in London, set to support Daughter on their upcoming US dates and will be supporting Matt Corby on his tour of Australia in October. And now they are set to release Without/Within in late October, and you can stream the opening track from the record Sahara below. It’s a vast, expansive song with delicate vocals and a soft string segment, before building into a huge finale that is destined to fill shows all over the globe.

Bear’s Den go on tour in the UK this coming November. Tickets for the London and Brighton shows have already sold out, so move fast if you want to catch them, as these guys are going places, and it’ll be one hell of a special night. Without/Within is released on the 28th of October.

Friday 1st – Holy Trinity Church, Leeds

Sunday 3rd – King Tut’s, Glasgow

Monday 4th – The Deaf Institute, Manchester

Tuesday 5th – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham

Wednesday 6th – Village Underground, London (SOLD OUT)

Thursday 7th – The Haunt, Brighton (SOLD OUT)