Alt-rock stalwarts The Sherlocks, comprised of Kiaran Crook (vocals), Brandon Crook (drums), Alex Proctor (guitar) and Trent Jackson (bass), have today announced their latest album World I Understand – out 19th November via TeddyBoy Records.
While the rest of the world was put on hold, The Sherlocks were undergoing a rebirth. With plans to tour the UK and America ripped apart by the pandemic, a rare moment of reflection presented itself to a band who had barely stopped to breathe since their 2017 debut album Live For The Moment reached #6 in the UK Charts catapulted them to international acclaim.
And what a ride it had been. From headlining festivals such as Neighbourhood to touring around Europe alongside their personal idols Liam Gallagher or Kings Of Leon, whilst releasing two UK Top 20 records in the process in Live For The Moment (2017) and Under Your Sky (2019).
Back to March 2020 and Josh and Andy Davidson, the guitar and bass-playing brothers who formed the band alongside Kiaran and Brandon Crook, decided it was the right moment for them to step away from the music scene. This left the Crooks with the task of finding new members, a first for The Sherlocks and one that’s difficulty was further amplified by the restrictions of lockdown.
“Finding new band members was something we were admittedly apprehensive about”, confessed Kiaran Crook. “On top of that we knew all our gigs were cancelled for the foreseeable. To be honest with you, I think many others would have thrown in the towel and just said, ‘let’s look back on the fond memories we’d made while it lasted’. But for us it wasn’t even a question of whether we’d carry on, it was more a question of how long it would take to get back to where we were.”
But what posed a potential pitfall quickly became the opposite. A tip-off from the band’s sound guy led to Alex Proctor – the first and only guitarist they needed to audition, a real fretboard “wizard” whose talent and chemistry with The Sherlocks was instantaneous.
One down.
Next up, Trent Jackson, a supreme bassist who the band had met a while back while doing backline at some of their festival dates. “The funny story with Trent was that he was a terrible backliner”, jokes Brandon. However, on the bass it’s a completely different story”. Like Alex, this signing instantly injected a timely shot of energy, eagerness, and imagination. The Sherlocks were back with a point to prove.
On the recording process, Kiaran says: “We pulled up at Rockfield Studios in Wales with only a handful of practices together and a bunch of songs that felt strong but were certainly rough around the edges. But once we started, I knew we were onto something special. Part of the magic of this record is that even though Brandon and I arrived to make our third album, Trent and Alex were making their debut record. Their passion was infectious, and we were getting the songs down at such a rapid pace. Everyone playing out of their skin!”
Working closely alongside Manic Street Preachers producer Dave Eringa, World I Understand stands as The Sherlocks’ most unshackled and ambitious album to date. From swirling opener “Porto”, filled with luscious ambient guitar soundscapes, the ballroom swooner of “Games You Play”, to electrifying previous single “Falling” – supported by the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac and 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq – there is an overriding feeling of spontaneity fused with maturity across the project.
The band’s penchant for creating anthemic alt-rock hits remains intact and is showcased on new single “City Lights”, out today. Kiaran’s knack for creating a catchy hook readymade for the live circuit remains as sharp as ever, with his vocals rising high above the medley of thrashing guitars, crashing drums and surging bass.
“This record was all about timing, it would have been impossible to make it at any other time than this”, states Kiaran. “Everything felt like it happened for a reason and I genuinely believe we made our best album to date. In years from now I think we’ll look back on this release as the one where it all changed and took us to the next level…”
World I Understand is out on 19th November via TeddyBoy Records. Listen to the current single “City Lights” BELOW:
World I Understand Album Tracklist
Porto
Falling
Wake Up
On The Run
Plastic Heart
City Lights
Sorry
Games You Play
World I Understand
Last To Leave
Slip Road
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