Turin Brakes have returned with ‘Spacehopper’ – their first new music in over three years and 10th studio album overall. The record found the band heading back to Konk Studios, where they recorded debut album ‘The Optimist’ for the first time in a quarter of a century with Olly Knights saying: ‘We honestly don’t normally get self-reflective but the whole album 10 thing definitely made us want to play with everything that throws up. The dreams, what worked out, what didn’t, the regrets, the nice surprises… It just seemed like a good moment to admit we’re in on our own legacy in a way.’

‘The Message’ opens the record with sounds of nature and birdsong before seamlessly transferring to an Americana sound with nostalgic throwbacks to FM radios and passing time surrounding the unending feeling of uncertainty: ‘Can’t quite put my finger on it. Can’t quite work it out’. ‘Pays to be Paranoid’ follows and we heard a traditional rock and roll, almost Oasis-esque, sound to this as the band warn: ‘The warning signs, you’ve ignored them for years’.

The title track is more melodic and jangly with singalong vibes being offset against a touch of regret: ‘Maybe it’s better not to try’. ‘Almost’ moves back into a more introspective, ’60s folk-inspired sound although there’s some darkness amidst the freewheelin’ as they confirm if someone is willing to fall ‘maybe I’ll save you a rope’. Mortality appears to be a key them throughout the record with ‘Lullaby’ offering hope amidst its bluesy atmosphere and ‘Today”s ponder of: ‘I guess I made it to the morning, I guess I made it to the other side’.

‘Horizon’ has dreams of a more colourful life never lived – ‘You be Bonnie, I’ll be Clyde, living the life we wish we did’ – being delivered against an orchestral background and chamber pop melodies while ‘Old Habits’ finds self-help advice being offered against acoustic strums before moving into something more political: ‘Don’t let them trick you into blaming someone else’.

‘Silence + Sirens’ has a touch of the atmospheric anthems of Doves running through it (we first saw Turin Brakes opening for them at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2000, with Goldfrapp completing the bill…) before the penultimate acoustic ditty of ‘Lazy Bones’ looks into aliens and answering phones. The closing ‘What’s Underneath’ is the longest song on the record, clocking in at 6 minutes and 20 seconds and provides a fitting finish with plenty of powerful Neil Young-esque guitar solos on show.

25 years in and with ‘Spacehopper’, Turin Brakes prove they’re a band that can still get you dancing with delight.

UK & IRELAND HEADLINE TOUR NOVEMBER 2025 (with support from Tom Speight)

Friday 7th – BELFAST, Empire

Saturday 8th – DUBLIN, Whelan’s

Thursday 13th – SOUTHAMPTON, The Brook

Friday 14th – BRIGHTON, Concorde 2

Saturday 15th – LONDON, Electric Ballroom

Sunday 16th – BRISTOL, The Fleece

Thursday 20th – LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club

Friday 21st – GLASGOW, St Lukes

Saturday 22nd – MANCHESTER, New Century Hall

Sunday 23rd – BIRMINGHAM, Institute 2

Thursday 27th – NORWICH, Epic Studios

Friday 28th – NOTTINGHAM, Metronome

Saturday 29th – EXETER, The Phoenix

Sunday 30th – BOURNEMOUTH, Old Fire Station