Following shows with Sweet Pill and The Callous Daoboys, Leeds act Love Rarely are set to release their debut album ‘Pain Travels’ via Big Scary Monsters (BSM) on 10 April, 2026.

‘Will’, the opening track on the album mixes Minus the Bear-style guitar work with Tigers Jaw-esque melodies to start with before things take a heavier turn. It’s all very danceable, defiant and melodically mathy, especially when Courtney Levitt screams ‘You’re waking up’. ‘Repulse’ follows with angular guitar work and a big, brooding bass sound. Recent single ‘Severed’ follows with quiet-loud parts, atmospheric post-rock hooks military drumming as Courtney asks ‘Where do we go? Where do we go?’.

Rolo Tomassi is a good touchpoint for anyone new to Love Rarely, especially as they have the same knack of delivering ear-splitting noise at one moment, and then following it up with goosebump-stirring power – often in the same song. ‘Haunted’ is almost a duet with hushed and ‘unclean’ vocals, while ‘Blame’ reminded us of And So I Watch You From Afar in its crunching riffs and melodies.

‘What You Did’ opens with a dark intensity – ‘Everybody wants to see what you did to me’ – while ‘Mould’ offers an orchestral flourish. ‘Whiplash’ is 84 seconds of noise that lives up to its title (in the best possible way) while ‘Dormant’ is more restrained to start with. The band then up the angst amidst stop-start moments and a plea to ‘Hold my hand’.

‘Through Families’ is the big finale the album deserves with its expertly plotted build-up and words about ‘the family tree’ being delivered with pride and power. ‘Pain Travels’ is experimental and exhilarating from start to finish. Enjoy the journey.

Live dates

Wednesday, 6 May 2026 – The Grace, London
Wednesday, 8 July 2026 – 2000 Trees Festival
Friday, 24 July 2026 – Truck Festival
Thursday, 3 September 2026 – Burn It Down Festival