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What A Day to be Ben Howard – Collections from the Whiteout

Ben Howard is set to release his fourth studio album, Collections from the Whiteout, on 26th March. The album's first single What A Day is out now.

What A Day to be Ben Howard – Collections from the Whiteout

Howard’s new album is set to be a sonically rich record and sees him entering new creative territory. Working with a range of musicians and producers from outside of his immediate circle for the first time, Howard’s sound has not only grown, but it has flourished. The National’s Aaron Dessner steps in on production duty while Rob Moose, who has worked with Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift, features for the album’s string arrangements.

Since the release of his debut album Every Kingdom in 2011, Howard has amalgamated a total of 2.6 billion streams globally and has achieved major recognition within the industry including two Brit Awards, an Ivor Novello Award and a Mercury Prize nomination. 

Howard has brought the guitar playing styles of the likes of Nick Drake and John Martyn into the modern era by blending finger picking with his own innovative style and his storytelling capabilities are some of the best in the game too.

With three performances on Jools Holland, a Glastonbury slot on the iconic Pyramid Stage and an Electric Picnic performance in 2018, Ben Howard has established himself not only as a sensational recording artist and guitarist, but as a captivating performer as well.

We take a look at some of the singer-songwriter’s finest efforts to date including the two new tracks released from his new album.

What A Day

Lead single What A Day see’s Howard return with a sublime maturity and confidence as his creativity appears to have flourished into new territory through the process of collaborating with some of the music industries most exciting and accomplished artists and producers including The National’s Aaron Dessner. Howard’s impeccable finger picking guitar style and vocals are married with atmospheric steel guitar, fleeting string sections and a crisp drum machine beat. 

Crowhurst’s Meme

The second track teased from Howard’s new album Collections From The Whiteout is the exquisitely layered Crowhurst’s Meme. Starting with a distorted drum beat, meditative piano line and gritty guitar, the track develops to contain a hypnotic array of textures which swell in and out to create a truly mesmerising piece of work.  

Old Pine

Old Pine is an exquisite introduction to Howard’s debut studio album Every Kingdom. Beginning with intricate guitar picking and subtle string textures, Old Pine develops to include a solid brush percussion section and a warming selection of vocal harmonies. The track sets the album up perfectly with its emotive yet uplifting composition. 

Only Love

One of Howard’s most successful singles came in the form of Only Love, another emotionally engaging yet euphoric folk ballad. The track peaked at number nine in the UK singles chart and with its feel good chorus chant, Only Love remains a glorious folk anthem.

Only Love was featured on Howard’s debut, Every Kingdom. The record achieved major success, peaking in the UK Album Chart at number four and in Ireland landed at number fourteen. Every Kingdom struck a chord with those in the music industry too and the record earned Howard a Mercury Prize nomination in 2012.

I Forget Where We Were

Howard’s exquisite warm electric guitar tone and a powerful percussion section combine to create the breathtaking I Forget Where We Were. The track is somewhat darker than the work presented on Howard’s debut but no less captivating.

I Forget Where We Were was featured on Howard’s second studio album of the same title. The record went to number one in the UK Albums Chart and number five in the Irish Albums Chart.

Nica Libres at Dusk

The opener on Howard’s third album presents a slightly more experimental side to the songwriter’s compositions. Ambient guitar swells and FX processed vocals are subtle additions which add to the broad range of textures that Howard and his band have blended harmoniously throughout the production of his three albums released to date. 

Nica Libres at Dusk was featured on Howard’s third studio album Noonday Dream. Released in 2018, the record earned Howard his third top five album in the UK and landed at number five in the US Folk Albums Billboard chart. 

Ben Howard’s fourth studio album, Collections from the Whiteout, is scheduled for release on 26th March. Pre-order is available now digitally, on CD and vinyl.

 

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