Liverpool indie band Circa Waves have introduced their latest single ‘Old Balloons’, a track that reflects on the experience of touring and the life left behind at home. The single is part of the second chapter of their upcoming album ‘Death & Love Pt.2’, which is to be released via Lower Third/[PIAS]. The full 18-track album is available for pre-order on CD and double gatefold vinyl.
Frontman Kieran Shudall explains, “‘Old Balloons’ is about being homesick on our first US tours. It’s the strange feeling of leaving home with the hope of “making it in America”, but knowing that if you do you will be home even less.”
Earlier this year, the band returned with the single ‘Cherry Bomb’. ‘Part one’ of the album, ‘Death & Love Pt.1’, was released in January 2025 and marked a period of starting anew for Shudall after a serious health scare in early 2023. Following a diagnosis of a severely blocked main artery in his heart, Shudall underwent surgery and began adapting to a new way of life, leading to the cancellation of numerous shows and a period of personal reflection.
This transformative experience inspired a surge of creativity, resulting in more material than could fit on one record. “I’d written so much after all the heart incident stuff – there was a release of creativity,” Shudall shares. “There were more songs than I’d ever written before, in one furious writing period.”
The two albums were produced by Shudall and recorded between a friend’s studio in Finsbury Park and the renowned RAK studios in London. Shudall describes the albums as a journey from potential tragedy to optimism. “This album feels like the more optimistic part of the two records,” he says. “It almost feels like if the first record was before the operation and death and fear of dying, then one is coming through the other side. It’s about love, life, survival and euphoria.”
Next month, Circa Waves are set to perform at Assembly Hall, Worthing, raising funds for NHS services. Tickets are available here.
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