Scotland’s post-punk heavyweights THE TWILIGHT SAD have finally ended the seven-year wait for a new record, today announcing their sixth studio album IT’S THE LONG GOODBYE. Due for release on 27th March via Rock Action Records, the news comes alongside the release of their powerful new single, ‘DESIGNED TO LOSE’.
Following on from October’s lead track ‘Waiting For The Phone Call’, ‘DESIGNED TO LOSE’ is a characteristically muscular yet meditative reflection on the human condition. It’s a track that explores the inevitability of loss and our often-fraught capacity to cope with it, delivered with the raw emotional honesty that has become the band’s hallmark.
The album marks the band’s first full-length release in seven years and is arguably their most personal work to date. Singer and lyricist James Graham has stepped away from the metaphors of previous records to tell a story rooted in a period of intense personal crisis.
“It had to contain every element of emotion I was feeling,” Graham says of the new material. Much of the record was written against the backdrop of his mother’s diagnosis and subsequent battle with early onset frontotemporal dementia, alongside Graham’s own struggles with mental health—a period that saw the band forced to halt a tour with The Cure in late 2023.
Musically, the record was developed over several years by multi-instrumentalist Andy MacFarlane, who stockpiled ideas during lockdown before refining them with Graham. Long-time friend and mentor Robert Smith (The Cure) also makes a significant appearance on the record, contributing guitars to ‘WAITING FOR THE PHONE CALL’, ‘Tron keys’ to ‘DEAD FLOWERS’, and six-string bass to ‘BACK TO FOURTEEN’.
The recording process at Willesden’s Battery Studios—a location steeped in Cure history—saw the core duo supported by David Jeans (Arab Strap) on drums and Alex Mackay (Mogwai live) on bass. Production duties were handled by MacFarlane, with additional production from Andy Savours (My Bloody Valentine) and mixing by Chris Coady (Slowdive).
The Twilight Sad will support the release with an extensive UK and European headline tour throughout April and May, including two nights at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom and a major date at London’s Roundhouse. This will be followed by a series of high-profile summer dates as special guests to The Cure.
IT’S THE LONG GOODBYE is available to pre-order here. Watch the visualiser for ‘DESIGNED TO LOSE’ below.
THE TWILIGHT SAD HEADLINE DATES:
APRIL
- 12 – Italy, Milan, Legend Club
- 14 – Switzerland, Zurich, Bogen F
- 15 – Germany, Munich, Ampere
- 16 – Germany, Berlin, Gretchen
- 18 – Denmark, Copenhagen, Loppen
- 19 – Norway, Oslo, Parkteateret
- 20 – Sweden, Stockholm, Slaktkyrkan
- 22 – Germany, Hamburg, Grünspan
- 23 – Netherlands, Utrecht, Tivolivredenburg Pandora Hall
- 25 – Germany, Cologne, Gebäude 9
- 26 – Belgium, Brussels, Rotonde – Botanique
- 27 – France, Paris, Le Trabendo
- 29 – UK, Bristol, Electric Bristol
- 30 – UK, London, Roundhouse
MAY
- 02 – UK, Manchester, New Century Hall
- 03 – UK, Newcastle upon Tyne, Boiler Shop
- 05 – Scotland, Glasgow, Barrowlands
- 06 – Scotland, Glasgow, Barrowlands
- 09 – Ireland, Dublin, Button Factory
SUMMER DATES WITH THE CURE:
- 14 June – Italy, Firenze, Visarno Arena
- 24 June – Cardiff, Blackweir Fields
- 26 June – Dublin, Marley Park
- 28 June – Belfast, Belsonic
- 10-12 July – Germany, Berlin, Wuhlheide