As Wyvern Lingo and Kings of Leon prepare to unleash their highly anticipated new albums on the world, we sit down with the bands to bring you two action-packed, flip-cover special interviews!

Bray trio Wyvern Lingo tell us how hitting their late twenties and upping sticks to Berlin shaped Awake You Lie. Written by Lucy O'Toole, it is a gripping interview with three supremely talented musicians, who have continued to raise the bar for Irish artists. Can this record – hailed by Pat Carty in this issue of Hot Press as nothing less than brilliant – be the one that catapults the Lingos to international prominence? The story starts here...

Meanwhile, there is the return of Kings of Leon – one of those tasty rock 'n' roll bands Ireland in particular fell in love with. In a fascinating interview with Hot Press deputy editor, Stuart Clark, Leon lynchpin Caleb Followill talks babies, home schooling, When You See Yourself and more, from his home in Nashville.

On the music front, you can also look forward to interviews with rising Aussie star Tash Sultana, indie heroes Pale Waves and one of Ireland’s most exciting young acts NewDad. Plus: the great Neil Jordan talks books, films, streaming services, making things up – and a whole lot more besides; we talk to Conor O'Callaghan about his new powerful new novel; plus, reflecting on the legacy of Frederick Douglass; carrying the weight of the pandemic on our shoulders; and a nod to some of the geniuses behind Ireland's embattled but still marvellous food offerings...

For committed thrill-seekers, there is also the news that we’ll be introducing a brand new Hot Press logo this issue – making it a cast-iron collector's dream that'll sell for vast sums down the line! So don’t miss out – pre-order your copy now!