Following the release of their critically-acclaimed debut album Call in the Crash Team last year, LYR return with their captivating new single ‘Winter Solstice’, featuring vocals from Wendy Smith of Prefab Sprout.
The track was born from a quote taken from Prefab Sprout’s song ‘Desire As’ – “desire as a sylph figured creature who changes her mind”. Then began the long journey to track down Prefab Sprout’s famously reclusive lead singer, Paddy McAloon, to request permission to use the line in ‘Winter Solstice’. After months of searching, the band were finally able to find him, and he generously gave his blessing for the use of his line in the song.
Speaking of the track, LYR say, “We’ve always been interested in beauty – in melody, in harmony – even if that beauty is the exquisite sadness of unrequited love! Despite its wintry setting, we’re glad this single is being released in spring, with light and hope on the horizon.
The song is an intimate one – as if we’re eavesdropping on someone’s thought process, with lyrics from the heart and music from the soul. Prefab Sprout are a clear musical reference point for this track; their wonderful song ‘Desire As’ is quoted within the lyrics (with Paddy’s blessing!), and LYR are thrilled that Wendy Smith agreed to give voice to that line.”
LYR will be performing a socially distanced show at The Jazz Cafe on 27th May, marking their first live performance since early March 2020. Ticket link here. Further dates have been announced for October 2021, with tickets available from the band’s website.
Comprised of singer Richard Walters, producer Patrick J Pearson and poet Simon Armitage, LYR are the perfect combination of poetic spoken passages, soaring vocal melodies and imaginative, cinematic production. They are a progressive voice in the world of spoken word, thanks to Armitage’s compelling lyrics, as well as Pearson’s seductive bricolage of musical styles and Walters’ evocative vocals.
LIVE DATES:
October 2021
21 – Newcastle, The Cluny2
22 – Manchester, Gullivers
23 – Glasgow, King Tut’s
25 – Leeds, Howard Assembly Room at Opera North
26 – Bristol, Louisiana
28 – Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre
29 – Plymouth, The Junction
