Even in their most chilled moments of club-inspired, urban electronic pop, Manchester’s Sea Fever have kept up a dopamine-driven beat of positivity, yet on new single “Able Eyes” they raise the pressure, volume and mood to ‘indie anthem’ proportions.
OUT NOW, the single is the final pre-release track to beat at the door of their anticipated second album, Surface Sound, which finally makes its way into the world this Fri, 30 May 2025, via Cosmic Glue.
Drawing listeners into a rewarding mix of moods and influences over the last four months of single releases, leaks and teases, Sea Fever make a leap from the ‘Italo-Manc disco’ of April’s “Go To Ground” into unapologetic, main stage festival sing-a-long territory. Landing heavy, fuzzed guitar chords onto human-powered rhythms and mixing impassioned vocals with deft, sparing electronic accents, the bands links to New Order, Johnny Marr, Haven and other influential bands shimmer from behind the curtain.
Quoting the advent of the 60s avant-garde in New York as a point of reference for “Able Eyes” blending Lou Reed and Nico’s influences with the uncompromising and confrontational synth-punk of Suicide, the depths of the band’s record collections and playlist favourites becomes as clear as their own songwriting and performing pedigree.
“’Able Eyes’ truly signifies Sea Fever’s versatility,” says singer, guitarist and lyricist, Iwan Gronow. “Although this is not one of our dance tracks, the song still has a real, intentional pulse, mixing Velvet Underground guitars with layers of synths. Lyrically the song is nostalgic, throwing back to growing up. The line: “Kicking your heels, dissecting sums” signifies life’s momentum in so many ways, adapting and preparing for huge moments of change.”
While Gronow, also spotted as Johnny Marr’s long-standing bassist, moved from his native Cornwall to Manchester in the early 00’s to find a supportive home for his band, the emotive-indie four-piece, Haven, fellow band mates, Tom Chapman (bass) and Phil Cunningham (lead guitar) have become established members of New Order over the last two decades. Fellow vocalist and synth-contributor, Section 25’s Beth Cassidy blows a fresh breeze through the band’s sound, while steadfast drummer, Elliot Barlow, carries a long list of performing credits, including in the studio and on stage with Brix and The Extricated.
Growing into 2025 from the wiry chill of the Cassidy-fronted Loose Cut into the bold, unabashed clubland-inspired Breaking Out in February, moving on into Shouldn’t Have Been This Way and Go To Ground, each step has taken the band a step closer to the ambitious album’s release. Following up 2021’s Folding Lines, Sea Fever have returned while expressing a sense of deepened cohesion as a band and convening with a heightened sense of creative courage.
Released on multiple formats, including vinyl, CD and digital, the album was written and recorded in studios in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, self-produced by Sea Fever with support from long-term collaborator and Pet Shop Boys’ musical director, Pete Gleadall. Special vinyl editions of Surface Sound will be packaged with a bonus 7” featuring Explanation, Sea Fever’s collaborative track with the late, much-missed Primal Scream and Electronic singer, Denise Johnson.
XS Noize Podcast Episode #227: Sea Fever – Phil Cunningham, Tom Chapman & Beth Cassidy on Surface Sound, Creative Chemistry & Honouring Denise Johnson. Listen here:
Reintroducing themselves to their fans on intimate and low-key venue and festival stages in recent months, yet complete with their own bespoke, immersive backdrop of arena-level lighting design, Sea Fever continue to add to a busy summer schedule in support of Surface Sound. Starting with an unmissable, home city launch night at The Yard in Manchester, all confirmed live dates for the band are as follows:
Thu 29 May – Macclesfield, Proper Sound
Fri 30 May – Manchester, The Yard – Special Album Launch Show
Sat 31 May – Halifax, Loafers
Tue 1 July – Liverpool, Jacaranda
Wed 2 July – Bury, Wax and Beans
Sat 2 August – Kendal, Kendal Calling
Tue 5 August – Kingston, Banquet Records
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