Indie duo Hovvdy have announced their sixth full-length album, Big World, scheduled for release on August 14th via Arts & Crafts. Accompanied by the driving lead single “Try Try Try” and a Michael Rees-directed music video, the news marks a more concise direction for the Nashville-based pair.
The upcoming album represents an intentional shift in perspective for Will Taylor and Charlie Martin. Moving away from the diary-like vulnerability of their acclaimed 2024 self-titled double LP, the newly minted Nashville songwriters aimed for a shorter, punchier runtime. The resulting collection trades explicit emotional directness for more enigmatic songwriting, capturing a band fully secure in their identity but deeply humbled by the world around them.
Of the changes, Martin explains,
“The last record felt like such a generous offering: a double-album, deeply personal, you can literally hear me crying on some songs. With this one, we wanted to take on the challenge of making something more concise and to the point, and give the fans something that feels like a shorter but more exciting ride.”
To achieve this sonically immediate feel, Hovvdy shook up their traditional workflow during autumn 2025 recording sessions in Nashville and Asheville. Working with longtime producer Ben Littlejohn, the duo entered the studio with only raw instrumentals instead of completed demos, choosing to write lyrics and react to the arrangements in real time. This spontaneous approach relied heavily on their seamless creative connection, allowing the band to step out of their comfort zone without losing their signature warmth.
Fans won’t have to wait long to hear the new material live, as the band is poised for a heavy season on the road. Hovvdy will support Bleachers across the US this June before crossing the Atlantic to support Wilco in the UK and Europe, a summer run that includes a stop at Wales’ Green Man Festival. Following the album’s August release, the duo will launch a comprehensive headline tour across the US and Canada throughout October and November.
