Newton Faulkner has today released the exceptional new single ‘Hit The Ground Running’, taken from his brand new sixth studio album of the same name – out September 1st. The new release comes nearly ten years to the day of the release of Newton’s double platinum selling debut album Hand Built By Robots.
Featuring his synonymous percussive guitar playing, ‘Hit The Ground Running’ is minimalistic in approach, but a true melodic force, showcasing a skyscraping falsetto that is up there with the very best. Lyrically uplifting, the track drives home a positive message of triumph over adversity and beating the odds to succeed.
Of the track, Newton says; “In the past I have mainly focused on pushing my guitar playing, on this album and particularly the first single, I decided to focus on my voice. On the last few albums, there were quite a few co-writes but on this one my brother forced me to write mostly on my own and this song is one of the ones that came out of that. It’s about messing things up but keeping moving forwards. I happen to have a reasonable amount of experience in both.”
Hit The Ground Running marks the British singer-songwriter’s sixth studio album, coming just over ten years since releasing his double platinum debut album Hand Built By Robots. Featuring the exuberance of album opener ‘Smoked Ice Cream’ and ‘This Kind Of Love’ to the mellow tones of ‘All She Needs’ and ‘Finger Tips’ Hit The Ground Running is a bonafide package of musical variety, something that has almost become expected from Faulkner. ‘Been Here Before’ serves up another fine example of his percussive acoustic pop, whilst ‘Never Alone’ proves that his ear for mammoth melodies has strengthened yet again.
Of the album, Newton says; “I started working this album with two main principles in mind. One, I wanted it to be at its best performed solo live and two, I wanted to push my voice further than before. With the songwriting, I just wanted to do what I do naturally and not try and be clever and try and predict or follow any trends. The same went for the production, and from that, I feel like I’ve finally found my recorded sound.”
This summer sees Newton return to Boardmasters Festival, as well as slots at Solfest, Greenbelt and more. These festival dates set him up perfectly for a 32-date stint around the UK across October and November, headlining the length and breadth of the isles.
‘HIT THE GROUND RUNNING’ TRACKLISTING
Smoked Ice Cream
Hit The Ground Running
All She Needs
Been Here Before
Finger Tips
Guitar-y Thing
There Is Still Time
Alright
The Good Fight
This Kind Of Love
Never Alone
So Long
Carry You
Don’t Understand
UK FESTIVAL DATES
Aug 8th – Jersey Opera House, Saint Hellier
Aug 11th – Boardmasters Festival, Cornwall
Aug 25th – 27th – Solfest, Silloth
Aug 25th – 28th – Greenbelt Festival, Northamptonshire
Aug 26th – Towersey Festival, Oxfordshire
UK HEADLINE TOUR
Oct 14th – Belfast, Limelight 2
Oct 15th – Dublin, Whelan’s
Oct 16th – Cork, Cyprus Avenue
Oct 20th – Findhorn, Universal Hall
Oct 21st – Ullapool, Village Hall
Oct 22nd – Kirkwall, Sound Archive
Oct 24th – Lerwick, Mareel
Oct 25th – Inverness, Bogbain Farm
Oct 26th – Tobermory, Aros Hall
Oct 28th – Edinburgh, Liquid Room
Oct 29th – Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
Oct 30th – Dunfermline, Carnegie Hall
Nov 1st – Glasgow, The Garage
Nov 2nd – Newcastle, O2 Academy
Nov 4th – Holmfirth, The Picturedome
Nov 7th – Manchester, RNCM Concert Hall
Nov 8th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
Nov 10th – Wrexham, Central Station
Nov 11th – Birmingham, O2 Institute
Nov 13th – Leicester, O2 Academy
Nov 14th – Wolverhampton, Slade Rooms
Nov 15th – Epic Studios, Norwich
Nov 16th – Cambridge, Junction
Nov 19th – Bristol, O2 Academy
Nov 20th – Cardiff, Y Plas (formerly Solus)
Nov 23rd – London, Student Central (ULU)
Nov 24th – London, Student Central (ULU)
Nov 26th – Exeter, Lemon Grove
Nov 27th – Falmouth, Princess Pavilion
Nov 28th – Barnstaple, The Factory, Petroc
Nov 30th – Bournemouth, Old Fire Station
Dec 1st – Worthing, Assembly Hall
