Following the release of his acclaimed album All I've Seen last year, Sam Wickens has returned with a brand new single 'Strange.24' – as well as a deeply reflective accompanying music video.

The release also coincides with the announcement of a new EP, Watson – set to be released on February 5.

Combining raw, blues-flavoured vocals with electronic touches, ‘Strange.24’ finds Sam expanding the powerful, genre-defying sound he introduced on the NI Music Prize-nominated All I’ve Seen. The single movingly captures his battle with mental illness – themes that are further explored in the accompanying music video, in which his struggles are depicted as a maze of darkness and despair.

"It's a song about the acceptance of recovering from a battle with mental illness," Sam reflects. "The feeling of something changing within my life and trying to accept that it is actually happening. After fighting with mental illnesses for such a long time, the possibility of it leaving was a complete myth to me. Life without deep hopelessness seemed strange to me as I was accustomed to the black hole that was my normality. Just as you would need to get used to living in a new home, I had to get used to living as a person that was no longer mentally ill. This song was a therapeutic way to help me move on with my recovery."

'Strange.24' further establishes the Bangor artist as one of Ireland's most compellingly original talents – and firmly positions him on the cusp of stardom. Ahead of the single's official release tomorrow, November 24, take a look at the video below:

Sam has also announced his first live date in over a year – with a headliner at the Workman's Club in Dublin on April 1. Tickets are available now.