New Music From England
Glass Animals’ New Album Dreamland Is Out Now Glass Animals released their hugely anticipated third album Dreamland into the world. Dreamland, which is released via Republic Records, is available everywhere now. It’s been a whirlwind 2020 for Glass Animals— the UK’s truly original and hugely loved band, who confidently set out their stall for their fervently anticipated third album with first single “Your Love (Déjà vu)” in February. After subsequently setting off on an impressive run of tour dates to celebrate the new music, everything the Dave Bayley-fronted four-piece thought was in full motion was brought abruptly to a halt, and along with the rest of the world, Glass Animals was sent into full lockdown. However, being the uniquely creative band that they are, the last four months have seen them adapt to the new normal—conjuring up new ways to connect with their international fanbase and bringing some distraction and innovation in difficult times. They’ve released a series of ingenious covers, built their own Open-Source website, created their very own TV network and made some jaw-droppingly inventive music videos. All while, crucially, inviting people into the enchanted world of Dreamland and revealing their brilliant new album via songs like “Heat Waves,” “Dreamland” and “It’s All So Incredibly
Loud.” At the heart of Dreamland lies the quietly enigmatic Dave Bayley, the band’s frontman and producer extraordinaire whose work extends far beyond that of Glass Animals, with credits including Joey Bada$$, Flume, Wale, Khalid and most recently Denzel Curry on the late 2019 single “Tokyo Drifting.” For Bayley, Dreamland is a nostalgic memoir of his life so far, covering expansive and difficult ground and holding nothing back. It’s packed full of personal experiences, none more emotional than when the band’s drummer Joe Seaward was involved in a monstrous bike accident in July 2018, which threatened his life, and that of Glass Animals altogether. As a result, Dreamland is the band’s boldest album yet—a powerful and personal story that was born out of time of immense confusion and uncertainty for the band, and as a result it’s an album that is very timely for the world today. Having cancelled extensive international touring plans (including two sold-out shows at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre with Denzel Curry) and unexpectedly navigated the release of their new album through a pandemic, Glass Animals is excited to announce their return to the stage. They have even shared some brandnew European and U.K. tour dates for 2021 Amassing over two billion global streams to date, British four-piece Glass Animals is led by singer, songwriter and producer Dave Bayley with his bandmates and childhood friends Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer and Drew MacFarlane. Their second album, How To Be A Human Being, was one of the most critically acclaimed and widely adored records of 2016. With praise from various press outlets, including Billboard, Pitchfork, The FADER, The Guardian, The Telegraph and more, it was nominated for the Mercury Prize Album Of The Year Award in 2017. Glass Animals also made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Late Late Show with James Corden. As well as producing both of Glass Animals’ studio albums, ZABA and How To Be A Human Being, Dave has worked with a number of artists outside of the band, including 6lack, Khalid, Joey Bada$$, DJ Dahi, Flume and MorMor. September 2020 • Rock and Blues International
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