THE SLOW READERS CLUB INTERVIEW: “Some bands write wedding songs, we write divorce songs.”

With their seventh album, “Out Of A Dream“, out on March 14th, The Slow Readers Club have made yet another bold and new career move. This album ventures into uncharted territory, seamlessly weaving introspective themes with captivating melodies. It’s a refreshing evolution that invites listeners to embark on an emotional journey where reflective lyrics meet a rich musical landscape. “Yes, the seventh album, it’s a lucky number!” Aaron teases, his excitement evident. He describes it as a significant progression for the band, showcasing their evolution while maintaining the essence of what fans love about them. “This album is a step forward for us. We’ve pushed ourselves musically and lyrically, going beyond what we’ve done before. Tracks like “Boy So Blue” highlight this shift. This is a major electronic dance track; we have ventured further into a complete dance experience than ever before. It was a synth song in the first place, and when we brought it to the studio, our producer encouraged us to push it even further. At one point, we thought, ‘This feels like a remix,’ but it worked so well that it stayed that way. Then at the opposite end of the scale you have really organic, stripped back tracks like ‘Little white lies’ I love its meandering structure – its like water finding its way through rocks.”

For The Slow Readers Club, “Out Of A Dream” explores the delicate interplay between innovation and their musical heritage. The album ventures into vibrant electronic landscapes and pulsating dance rhythms, weaving an inviting energy throughout several tracks. Yet, it also delivers striking contrasts with poignant bursts of raw, lo-fi intensity that ground the listener in a more authentic emotional experience. This dynamic blend creates a rich sonic tapestry that both honours their roots and pushes the boundaries of their sound. “There’s balance,” Aaron explains. “We’ve got more polished and upbeat tracks, but there are also songs that go back to our earlier sound, dramatic, emotional, and grounded in storytelling.” This blend of old and new ensures the album feels like a natural progression rather than a complete departure from their past work.

Lyrically, the album tackles personal and universal themes, focusing on relationships and the complexities of modern life. Aaron describes Our “Song Be Sung”, the band’s upcoming single, as emblematic of their approach.

“As I said on stage at a recent show – some bands write wedding songs, we write divorce songs.”

Aaron continues, “This one is about acknowledging the dying stages of a relationship. It’s about recognising that things have come to a close, letting go, and wishing the other person well. There’s a bittersweet quality to it that I think many people will relate to.”

Beyond relationships, “Out Of A Dream” reflects on the challenges of navigating an increasingly digital world. Aaron paints a vivid picture of today’s reality as “a weird, frightening… kaleidoscopic existence,” where conflicting truths and digital overload create a pervasive sense of confusion.“Propaganda and different versions of the truth have always existed, but today they’re more targeted. For instance, during the Brexit and Trump campaigns, Facebook played a huge role with hyper-targeted ads. Certain messages were tailored to people, which amplified polarization and reduced common ground. I’m sure it happens on both sides, but it’s created a culture of confusion and disunity. The internet has accelerated all this, making conspiracy theories more powerful and supercharging the chaos.”

This theme of tension and duality recurs throughout the album, not just in words but in music. Albums like “Out Of A Dream” capture it in a mingling of soaring, euphoric melodies with sombre, reflective words. “We love creating tension,” Aaron says. “Life is complex, and we try to reflect that. Bands like The Smiths, The Cure, Radiohead, and New Order have had a huge influence on us in this respect. They’re masters at crafting music that makes you want to dance, even when the lyrics pull you into deeper, often darker emotional spaces. For us, it’s about allowing people to dance while acknowledging the heavier emotions.”

“It’s about offering something cathartic, music that acknowledges those darker feelings but ultimately lifts you up.”

A key factor in shaping the sound of “Out Of A Dream” was their collaboration with producer Joe Cross. Having worked with the band before, Joe’s meticulous approach helped refine the album’s sound and bring out its unique character. “Joe’s approach had a huge impact,” Aaron shares. “We started with demos we’d worked on with Phil Bullyment, and Joe took them apart and reassembled them in a way that brought fresh perspective to the tracks. He’s great at tweaking arrangements, experimenting with synth tones, and pushing us to try new things.”

The recording process itself was marked by contrasts, blending polished studio sessions with a DIY ethos. “We recorded drums and bass in a professional studio, but most of the rest was done in Joe’s smaller setup, a shipping container, of all places,” Aaron recalls. “That mix of environments gave the album a distinctive texture. For instance, Animals started with an understated chorus, but Joe pushed us to make it bigger and more powerful. His suggestions completely transformed the track and took it to another level.”

The Slow Readers Club has always taken pride in their DIY ethos throughout their career, and “Out Of A Dream” is no exception. While they’ve built a team for management and touring, they’ve maintained full creative control. “We’ve managed to gather a team of people around us who understand the band’s DNA, our audience and where we need to be headed,” Aaron says. “We’re proof that you don’t need a major label to succeed. With the right team and a clear sense of who you are, you can chart, sell out venues, and grow your audience without compromising your identity.”

Seven albums in, the band continues to see their fanbase evolve, with Aaron explaining, “We constantly pick up new fans through word of mouth & online and also through festival appearances and support slots. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to support amazing artists like James, The Pixies, Morrissey, Noel Gallagher, The Charlatans, Shed Seven and The Jesus and Mary Chain. We’re looking forward to supporting Elbow at Castlefield Bowl this summer too!”

With The Slow Readers Club preparing to unleash Out Of A Dream, their fervor and honesty are more fierce than ever. The album’s blend of emotional complexity, adventurous experimentation, and sentimental narrative is guaranteed to captivate old and new fans alike.

The Slow Readers Club’s new album, Out Of A Dream, is released on Fri, March 14th 2025. Pre-order your copy here.

LIVE

Sat 1 March–Bury, The Met

Sun 2 March–Manchester, Gorilla

Fri 14 March–Bury, The Met–SOLD OUT

Sat 15 March–Liverpool, Jacaranda Baltic

Sun 16 March–Leeds, Headrow House, two performances

Thu 20 March–London, Rough Trade East

Fri 21 March–Kingston, Prizm

Sat 22 March–Nottingham, Rough Trade–two performances

Wed 2 July–Manchester, Castlefield Arena w/Elbow

The Slow Readers Club will host a unique and exclusive fan experience in London on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The event will be hosted at Dolby Headquarters in Soho and take place in the prestigious Dolby screening room. The band will engage in a short Q&A session hosted by Chris Hawkins (BBC 6 Music), discussing the conception of the album and the general world of The Slow Readers Club. Following the talk, the album will be played start to finish in stunning spatial audio, with a visualizer screened throughout.

As a thank you to the fans, TSRC offers 40 complimentary places to come and enjoy a special audio-visual experience with the band to celebrate and experience the brand new studio album ‘Out Of A Dream’. To be entered into a random draw for a pair of tickets, please enter by following the link in The Slow Readers Club’s bio @theslowreadersclub