Music
08 May 19

The Pale to drop new album, Merciful Hour, on 24 May

The Pale to drop new album, <i>Merciful Hour</i>, on 24 May

Art by Fergal Coghlan

Irish band The Pale will drop their new album, Merciful Hour, on 24 May. In the meantime, you can watch the music video for their song 'Loser Friends' here.

Irish band The Pale have announced that their thirteenth studio album, Merciful Hour, will drop on 24 May. The album will feature the Double A ‘Loser Friends’ (watch the all-new music video below) and ‘Such Dumb Luck’ with cover art by Fergal Coghlan. Pre-orders will be available from April 10th.

Merciful Hour was produced by Keith Farrell, who has worked with Duckworth Lewis Method, Cathy Davey, Pugwash and more. With eleven tracks that refuse to settle on any one genre, this album looks to be the band’s boldest ever.

Formed in North Dublin in the early 90s, The Pale began their career in music busking on Grafton Street, drawing musical influences from far and wide. Best known for their hits ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Dogs With No Tails’ from their 1992 debut album Here’s One We Made Earlier, the band has long marched to the beat of their own drum, focusing on strong lyrics whilst experimenting with different musical styles. The band have brushed with chart success, forayed into alternative circuses and toured in Russia, Japan, Eastern Europe and more.

On 11 May, the band will embark on a tour around Ireland, beginning with a show at Westport’s Acoustic Festival. Now made up of Matthew Devereux (vocals), Shane Wearen (vocals, mandolin, bouzouki), Gavin O’Brien (bass) and Aidan O’Grady (drums, percussion), The Pale’s live sets jump between indie, reggae and Eastern European folk, all presented with wry lyrical twists and contagious energy. Tour dates can be seen below.

Merciful Hour will be released on 24 May. In the meantime, watch the music video for The Pale’s ‘Loser Friends’ here.