Orchards Announce Sophomore Album 'Bicker' With New Single Groan
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Written by Jon Stickler
Orchards will return with their sophomore album in the spring.
The Brighton trio will release 'Bicker' through Big Scary Monsters on March 28, following up their 2020 debut 'Lovecore' and the following year's 'Trust Issues' EP.
Recorded at Jack Wilson of Fickle Friends' home studio in Shoreham, England, the 10-song LP features the previously shared singles I Feel Terrible, Sweetie Pie and Mug Song, as well as the band's new single, Groan, which offers a bright, hook-heavy indie-pop sound. Vocalist Lucy Evers said:
"I was going through a really tough therapy session and my therapist said why do you feel the need to fix this. I didn’t have an answer for her. It’s built into my wiring. I want to help, I want to fix it, and she said ‘you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink’ and it hit me like a tonne of bricks. The only person who can really fix something is you! But growing and healing isn’t linear. You can be ‘getting better’ whatever that fucking means and still be scream crying in the bath."
On the album, she continued: "Bicker is the quintessential break up album. Whether platonic or romantic this album embodies the trials and battles of losing a part of your heart. Or the fight between your gut and your mind. For full disclosure I’ve learnt to always listen to my gut. She hasn’t been wrong yet. There are sad songs, happy songs, songs of ambivalence and everywhere in between on this record. But it’s back breakingly true. Every word, every note. We mean every one.
"As a trio we have been through so much in the last 5 years. Unimaginable. But our determination and sheer love of music has brought us through. It’s our home. It’s our safe place. Despite the constant and frightening bickering we do. We genuinely warn anyone who works with us, we sound like we hate each other but weirdly it’s the opposite but love and hate sit next to each other in the circle of life. This record is for every heart that’s ever been broken and held together with sticky tape (gaffa tape at this point). Orchards Forever. Sad indie kids for always.”
Orchards will support the record's release with a spring UK tour, which includes a set at Cardiff festival Noizzefest at Clwb Ifor Bach on April 26. Tickets are on sale now.
'Bicker' tracklist:
1. Say It
2. Bicker
3. I Feel Terrible
4. Good For You, Good For Me
5. Sweetie Pie
6. Bethnal Green
7. Gerl
8. Mug Song
9. Groan
10. You Can Get Used To Anything
Orchards Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Tue April 22 2025 - GLASGOW Hug and Pint
Wed April 23 2025 - SHEFFIELD Yellow Arch
Thu April 24 2025 - LIVERPOOL Kazimier Stockroom
Fri April 25 2025 - MANCHESTER Deaf Institute - Lodge
Sun April 27 2025 - NOTTINGHAM Rough Trade Nottingham
Mon April 28 2025 - OXFORD Jericho
Tue April 29 2025 - BIRMINGHAM Flapper
Thu May 01 2025 - BRISTOL Exchange
Fri May 02 2025 - LONDON Moth Club
Sat May 03 2025 - BRIGHTON Alphabet
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
