ONLY THE POETS:”IT FEELS LIKE THE MOST HONEST AND REAL BIT OF WORK WE’VE DONE” | DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW!

Today marks the long-awaited arrival of Only The Poets’ debut studio album, And I’d Do It Again. Released via Capitol Records, the 14-track project serves as a definitive “time capsule” for the Reading-based quartet, who have spent nearly a decade grafting through the grassroots circuit to become one of the UK’s most vital indie-pop acts.

Led by frontman Tommy Longhurst alongside Andrew “Roo” Burge (bass), Clem Cherry (guitar), and Marcus Yates (drums), the band has delivered a record that balances polished 80s-inspired synths with the raw, confessional storytelling that first won them a cult following. From their early days playing to 20 people at the Dublin Castle to supporting major acts like Louis Tomlinson and Bastille, the band insists they wouldn’t change a single struggle.

Produced largely in-house by band members Cherry and Yates alongside producer DanDlion, the record features fan-favorite singles like ‘I Keep On Messing It Up‘, ‘Emotionally Hungover’, and the moody, 90s R&B-tinged ‘Thinking Bout Your Ex.‘

Speaking to Heard It Here First‘s podcast (in collaboration with Northern Exposure) earlier this month, the band describes their debut album And I’d Do It Again’ as a deeply personal reflection on their journey.

“There’s a lot of self-reflection in there,” shares frontman Tommy Longhurst. “We’ve been through so much as friends. Not just as a band but as human beings, you know, it really impacted our lives in amazing ways.”

Encompassing both positive and challenging experiences as friends and as a band, they emphasise a belief that everything has happened for a reason and that their entire journey has shaped them into who they are today.

“We’re really proud of it. It feels like the most honest and real bit of work that we’ve done” Tommy continues. “It feels like we’ve arrived and we are the band we’ve always wanted to be now.”

To celebrate the release, Only The Poets are making headlines not just for their music, but for their commitment to accessibility. On Monday, February 2, the band will headline a sold-out O2 Academy Brixton, where tickets were famously priced at just £1. This historic move—the first of its kind at the iconic venue—is part of a wider campaign to support the LIVE Trust and highlight the importance of grassroots music.

And I’d Do It Again is out now and available to buy here.

Listen to the full episode with Only The Poets on Spotify now.

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Keira Knox

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