Nottingham five-piece Vona Vella have announced their new album Carnival, set for release on Friday, 27th February via Strap Originals. The band have also shared the album’s dazzling title track, available to stream now, accompanied by an eye-catching video directed by renowned photographer and filmmaker Roger Sargent (The Libertines, Fat White Family, Baxter Dury). The clip captures Vona Vella amidst the lights and chaos of Nottingham’s Goose Fair, filmed during one electric night in September.
Though previously unreleased, Carnival has already built underground buzz after being featured on the hugely popular NBA2K26 video game, where players quickly crowned it a standout track. The single follows Bear Trap and Over and Over, both of which received strong support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Apple Music, and Radio X.
Of the single, vocalist and songwriter, Dan Cunningham states,
It was written when life was getting on top of me and I felt that my head was spinning out of control. I use the funfair as a metaphor because the overstimulating scenes there reflected my emotional state. The verse is Izzy reassuring me that I’ll get through it.
Produced by Jason Stafford (Jamie T, Sports Team, The Libertines), the upcoming album marks a bold evolution for the band — a lush blend of shimmering guitars, art-pop textures, and the intertwined vocals of Dan Cunningham and Izzy Davis, which remain at the heart of their signature sound. Carnival will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital platforms, with pre-orders open now.
Championed by BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, and Radio X’s John Kennedy, Vona Vella have steadily established themselves as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging acts. The duo have supported The Libertines, Peter Doherty, Tim Burgess, and Hak Baker, and also run their own DIY music venue in Nottingham, where they frequently perform. True to their community spirit, the band recently treated a small group of fans to an intimate gig on a barge trip down the River Trent, a warm-up for their upcoming live dates.
