London-based independent heavyweights – SPEARMINT – have shared new single “Older Cats 2”, ahead of their highly anticipated new album ‘This Candle Is For You’ (coming 17 November).
The new track will be available from 3 November both digitally and on limited-edition 7” vinyl alongside exclusive B-side “Let It Go”.
A fuzzy and subversive indie-rock song that celebrates the wonders of older cats, while reminding pet-owners that ageing felines shouldn’t be neglected in favour of younger kittens, singer Shirley Lee explains:
“The lyrics say it all: there’s no point going to a rescue centre if you’re just going to take a kitten. The older cats have plenty of life left in them and a lot of love to give, but their chances of finding a new home are much lower.”
A punky, squelchy romp through renegade guitars and jangling percussion, “Older Cats 2” captures Spearmint at their energetically infectious best. Alongside lead vocals from Shirley, the single also features Simon Calnan who sings the track’s middle section from “a cat’s point-of-view”.
The new track is accompanied by the B-side “Let It Go”, available exclusively on the 7” vinyl edition. One of the band’s favourite tracks that “so very nearly made it onto the new album”, it’s an earworm worthy tune that unfolds as a plea from a male perspective to “ditch the patriarchy and try another way”.
The new single also follows previous double AA-side single “Prince & Joni” // “Three More Songs On The Jukebox” and earlier release_ “_Melody’s Mother’s Jam”, with all four tracks set to feature on upcoming album ‘This Candle Is For You’ when it arrives on 17 November 2023.
Spearmint’s first album since 2021’s acclaimed ‘Holland Park’, ‘This Candle Is For You’ promises to be equally ambitious. A dizzying multiverse of an album, the new record will cover a wide array of themes including the search for a missing sister, the ways we remember lost loved ones, the story of John Gavin, the James Bond star who never got to make a film, late-night drinking in Soho, the joys of B-movies & video nasties, changing attitudes to mental health, the plight and wonder of older cats, the reaction to the death of Sarah Everard, and the afterlife. It will be their 60th release on their own hitBACK label.
Spearmint will premiere the album live and in-full, alongside older classics at London’s Hoxton Colours venue on 5 December. The one-off live show will also see the band play songs from their acclaimed 2021 album ‘Holland Park’ live for the first time. Spearmint will be joined on stage for the first time by long-term collaborator** Rhodri Marsden** (Scritti Politti), who has produced the band’s recent albums. Of the show, Shirley says:
“We can’t wait to play again. We’re a London band and we’ve always played in London, so it felt really strange not gigging around the last album because of the pandemic. It’s almost like starting again – we’ve got two albums of songs that we love, that have never been heard live and we’re really excited to play them!”
The evening will also be opened by Matt Cooper, who is well worth getting down early for. Tickets are on sale now here. Further shows are due to be added for 2024, stay tuned for further details soon.
‘This Candle Is For You’ is released on 17th November digitally, on CD (order here), and on limited vinyl with a 32-page lyric book (order here), via WIAIWYA records.
SPEARMINT – LIVE DATES
5 Dec – LONDON, Hoxton Colours – TICKETS
-Official bio
Watch our latest “Short Cuts” video podcast to discover more new indie tracks.
