A Firmer Hand is the upcoming third studio album by Scottish musician Hamish Hawk, to be released on 16 August 2024 by Fierce Panda and So Recordings. The album was written by Hawk and guitarist Andrew Pearson in 2022–2023. It was produced in Edinburgh by frequent collaborator and manager Rod Jones. The album artwork features a black and white portrait of the singer with his face half obscured by a black shadow. Its title refers to a line from the song "Big Cat Tattoos".
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| Released | 16 August 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
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A Firmer Hand 's lyrical content focuses on Hawk's relationships with men: friends, lovers, family, colleagues. Previous to its release, the album is being promoted by the singles "Big Cat Tattoos" and "Nancy Dearest".
Background and recording
editHawk's second studio album Angel Numbers was released in February 2023 to critical acclaim, and further established Hawk and his band on the indie scene.[1] By the time the previous album was released Hawk said they had "the bulk of a new album written, so that will be recorded at some point".[2] Once again he joined forces with frequent collaborator Rod Jones, and the sessions took place at Post Electric Studio in Leith, Edinburgh.[3]
Composition
editLyrics and themes
editA Firmer Hand is an album centered on Hawk's relationships with the men in his life including friends, lovers, family, and colleagues, among others. This became the album's focus through writing the tracks "Machiavelli's Room", "Milk an Ending", and "Juliet as Epithet". Hawk said, "The fact that it makes me nervous tells me it was the right thing to do." He pointed out that the link between all the songs is a "sense of the unsaid". Hawk has further described it as "coming of age" record.[4]
Release and promotion
editThe release of A Firmer Hand was first announced on 29 April 2024.[5] That same day several tour dates were announced, taking place through May until August, including in-store gigs to promote the record.[6]
Singles and videos
editThe album's lead single "Big Cat Tattoos" premiered on Steve Lamacq’s BBC Radio 6 Music show, on 29 April 2024.[7] The next day an accompanying music video was released, directed and edited by guitarist Andrew Pearson. The video was recorded at Freakworks in Leith, and features Hawk in a film studio, with five faceless men dresssed in black suits standing in it, while Hawk dances around.[8]
In June, the second single, "Nancy Dearest" was released alongside a music video, also directed and edited by Pearson.[9] Shot between Freakworks and Nobles Bar, it seems to serve as a prequel to the previous single video. In it, the faceless men in suits appear at a bar, and the "Big Cat Tattoos" set is featured again.[10]
Track listing
editAll lyrics are written by Hamish Hawk; all music is composed by Hawk, Andrew Pearson, Stefan Maurice and Alex Duthie[11]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Juliet as Epithet" | |
| 2. | "Machiavelli's Room" | |
| 3. | "Big Cat Tattoos" | 3:11 |
| 4. | "Nancy Dearest" | 3:05 |
| 5. | "Autobiography of Spy" | |
| 6. | "You Can Film Me" | |
| 7. | "Christopher St." | |
| 8. | "Men Like Wire" | |
| 9. | "Questionable Hit" | |
| 10. | "Disingenuous" | |
| 11. | "Milk an Ending" | |
| 12. | "The Hard Won" |
References
edit- ^ Wilde, Jamie (3 February 2023). "In Conversation: Hamish Hawk". Clash. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ Preece, Tom (6 February 2023). "The Debrief: Hamish Hawk". Yuck Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Wescott, Andrew (30 April 2024). "Hamish Hawk announces new "coming of age" album, 'A Firmer Hand'". Dork. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "HAMISH HAWK SHARES NEW SINGLE "NANCY DEAREST"". Prescription PR. 13 June 2024. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (30 April 2024). "Hamish Hawk Announces New Album 'A Firmer Hand'". Clash. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Redfern, Mark (2 May 2024). "Hamish Hawk Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song "Big Cat Tattoos"". Under The Radar. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Steve Lamacq (29 April 2024). "Frank Turner in Session and Orlando Weeks Exclusive". BBC Radio 6 Music. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Pearson, Andrew (Director) (30 April 2024). Hamish Hawk - Big Cat Tattoos (Official Video) (Music Video). Hamish Hawk. Retrieved 17 June 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (13 June 2024). "Hamish Hawk Shares Video for New Song 'Nancy Dearest'". Our Culture Mag. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Pearson, Andrew (Director) (13 June 2024). Hamish Hawk - Nancy Dearest (Official Video) (Music Video). Hamish Hawk. Retrieved 17 June 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ A Firmer Hand (booklet). Hamish Hawk. So Recordings. 2024. SOAKLPC511.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "A Firmer Hand - Album by Hamish Hawk - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 June 2024.