Home Counties today lift the veil on their eagerly awaited sophomore album, ‘Humdrum’, slated for release on 24th October through Submarine Cat Records. This highly anticipated follow-up to the London six-piece’s acclaimed 2024 debut, ‘Exactly As It Seems’, boasts the production prowess of Al Doyle, celebrated for his contributions to Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem, promising a refined yet unmistakably Home Counties sound.
To herald this significant announcement, the band has simultaneously unleashed the album’s title track and lead single, “Humdrum”. This new offering is a masterclass in sardonic wit, serving as a jittery, synth-laden unravelling of social faux pas and the lingering anxieties that accompany them. Singer Will Harrison candidly admits the track captures “feeling bitter towards people who are just better at chatting shit,” offering a relatable glimpse into the band’s self-aware humour.
Intriguingly, “Humdrum” nearly never saw the light of day. The track underwent a remarkable metamorphosis, shape-shifting through diverse sonic landscapes, from the propulsive rhythms of krautrock to the intimate sensibilities of bedroom pop, before finally crystallising into its definitive form.
Will continues,
Humdrum’ is about feeling held back by saying the wrong thing in different situations, be it at work or in a social setting. It recalls cringing as your replay conversations in your head after they’ve happened and the frustration of coming up with better things to say in retrospect. It’s also about being jealous of people who talk shit, say nothing, and still seem to come out on top. It’s saying I want to be jammy as well, (‘I want dumb luck!’).
At its core, ‘Humdrum’ is an album centred on communication. Through ten tracks, it captures the tension of saying too much or too little, the resentment of being out-charmed, and the overthinking that characterises modern interactions. With the dual voices of lead vocalists Will Harrison and Lois Kelly, the album features wiry grooves, unpredictable synths, and sharp pop instincts. The band skillfully combines complex themes into songs that are both meticulously crafted and joyfully unhinged.
