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English indie rockers Blaenavon have shared the details of their second album Everything That Makes You Happy, out this Friday (Oct. 25) via Transgressive/Canvasback. Along with the news, they’ve also shared two new singles “I Want You” and “Fucking Up My Friends,” which follow their lead single “Catatonic Skinbag.” Everything That Makes You Happy will serve as the sequel to their 2017 debut LP That’s Your Lot. The new album was recorded at Manchester’s Eve Studios, and was produced by Catherine Marks (Foals, St. Vincent, Wolf Alice). Per a press release, it’s largely informed by frontman Ben Gregory’s struggles with mental health.
“I Want You” traverses the valleys of Gregory’s troubled mind as he reaches for the solace of others while also beating himself up. Uplifted by a hopeful, swelling hook, it’s a meditation on one’s capacity to love others while their own self-love is lacking. The song’s grand finale via strings and piano appears to arrive at the conclusion that love is a noble cause, no matter what personal demons try to interfere. On “Fucking Up My Friends,” Gregory’s uncertainties shift from romantic longing to platonic desire. Its earnest benevolence (“I wanna dance with someone unapologetically themselves”) and heartbreaking insecurities (“Cause I just wanna be enough for you and everyone else”) are displayed in naked clarity, and it’s far too good-natured for anyone to merely brush it aside.
In a statement, Gregory writes:
Everything That Makes You Happy. I couldn’t be prouder for you all to hear this album: an optimistic response to a difficult time. It made sense with the record’s impending release to touch base with you again and explain what’s been happening in our world.