Arab Strap announce first album in sixteen years

Arab Strap has revealed that they will be releasing their 7th studio album – and their first since 2005's Last Romance – on March 5th, 2021.

Despite them being a pinnacle group of the era, Moffat makes it clear that the aim of As Days Get Dark is not to “recapture the 90s,” but instead to create a distinctly new album, with new tools, sounds and a forward moving sense of exploration. “This album feels like its own new thing to me,” he says. “It's definitely Arab Strap, but an older and wiser one, and quite probably a better one.

“We've had enough distance from our earlier work to reappraise and dissect the good and bad elements of what we did,” says Middleton. “Not many bands get to do this, so it's great to split up.” The band reconnected with producer Paul Savage, with just the three of them in the studio, as it was the very first time around. “Paul brings comfort and trust,” says Middleton, “And a sense of continuity.”

The band will also play a headline show at Vicar Street in September 2021. Presale tickets go on sale this Friday, November 27.

• Feature image by Kat Gollack.