Daily Dose: Belle and Sebastian, “The Same Star”

Daily Dose is your daily source for the song you absolutely, positively need to hear every day. Curated by the Paste Music Team.

The beloved Belle and Sebastian, amidst an EP trilogy titled How To Solve Our Human Problems, have shared a bright new single, “The Same Star.” The song is from the second five-track EP in the series, due out on Jan. 19 via Matador Records.

Written by Sarah Martin and produced by Leo Abrahams, the upbeat single surrounds Martin’s bittersweet singing with jangling guitars, an ambitious bass line, and sparing synth and horn accents, all building to a surprisingly raucous guitar solo. It’s a timeless, feel-good track that shows Belle and Sebastian haven’t lost their knack for making irresistible music, even here, over two decades into their careers.

Part one in the How To Solve Our Human Problems trilogy was released in December, marking a welcome return to the limelight for the Scottish indie-pop institution. “Belle & Sebastian is back,” wrote Ben Salmon in his Paste review, “maybe not to its ‘96-’98 form, but sounding more alive than they have in years.”

Previous singles from the EP series include “We Were Beautiful” and “I’ll Be Your Pilot.” There are sure to be more before the third and final EP is released on Feb. 16, so stay tuned for more Human Problems. In the meantime, fans in the U.K. and Europe can plan on catching Belle and Sebastian on tour in February and March.

Listen to “The Same Star” below (or via your streaming service of choice here), and find Belle and Sebastian’s tour slate further down. You can stream the first How To Solve Our Human Problems EP right here and preorder the second here.

Belle and Sebastian Tour Dates:

February
05 – Belgium, Antwerp @ De Roma
06 – France, Strasbourg @ La Laiterie
07 – France, Paris @ Salle Pleyel
09 – France, Nantes @ Stereolox
11 – Luxembourg @ Rockhal
12 – Switzerland, Zurich @ X tra limmathaus
13 – Italy, Milan @ Fabrique
14 – Italy, Bologna @ Estragon
16 – Germany, Munich @ Muffathalle
17 – Germany, Berlin @ Admiralspalast
18 – Germany, Frankfurt @ Batschkapp
19 – Netherlands, Amsterdam @ Carre
21 – Denmark, Copenhagen, @ DK Studio 1
22 – Sweden, Stockholm, @ Munchen Brewery
23 – Norway, Oslo @ Sentrum Scene
24 – Sweden, Gothenburg @ Studios

March
06 – U.K., Cornwall @ Truro Hall
08 – Wales, Cardiff @ Millenium Centre
09 – Wales, Aberystwyth @ Arts Centre
10 – U.K., Nottingham @ Rock City
12 – U.K., Manchester @ Bridgewater Hall
13 – U.K., Cambridge @ Corn Exchange
15 – U.K., Brighton @ Dome
16 – U.K., London @ Troxy
17 – U.K., London @ Troxy
19 – U.K., Liverpool @ Philharmonic
20 – U.K., York @ Opera House
22 – U.K., Gateshead @ Sage
23 – Scotland, Perth @ Concert Hall
24 – Scotland, Edinburgh @ Usher Hall
26 – Ireland, Dublin @ Vicar St
27 – Ireland, Dublin @ Vicar St

May
02 – Australia, Perth @ Astor Theatre
04 – Australia, St Kilda @ Palais Theatre
05 – Australia, Sydney @ Sydney Opera House
07 – Australia, Brisbane Qld @ Tivoli
25 – U.K., Glasgow @ SWG3 Galvanizers Yard