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Newcastle-based trio The Pale White (lead vocals/guitarist Adam Hope, drummer Jack Hope and John Barrow on bass) have announced their upcoming album The Big Sad (out on 18th April), along with two singles ‘Lost in the Moment’ and their latest ‘Nostradamus’.
Despite its title, and the fact it is a record shaped by pandemic era loss (and the departure of a band member), The Big Sad represents a beacon of hope for the future and a band entering a new era following their blazing debut album Infinite Pleasure.
‘Nostradamus’ is the 16th century seer, well known for his prophecies and predictions. In the band’s track of the same name, they use Nostradamus to take a swipe at supposed know-it-alls.
Frontman Adam Hope has said previously of the track “the song is a gentle reminder that they don’t know it all”.
The track opens with a sprawling bass line and thumping drums, a continuation of the band’s alt-rock sound established in their debut effort. The build up is immediate, the instrumental aspects of the track growing heavy and energetic, therefore creating a song that demands the attention of the listener.
‘Nostradamus’ is intense and unrelenting, really honing in the idea that overconfidence can definitely be misplaced. The opening lyrics “you’re wasting, you’re wasting all your time / if you wanna make it out, make it out alive” immediately set the tone for the track, and perhaps the album as a whole, as it is honest and brutal whilst sonically holding its weight.
The rich vocal harmonies of the song, which was rediscovered and reworked by the band, bring it soaring into life. Whilst their debut album showed a band testing out their sound, this teaser of what is to come from their new album is much more confident and self-assured, they are a band who know themselves and are open to producing something sonically different from their previous releases.
‘Nostradamus’ is a tantalising teaser of what is to come. Self-produced and self-confident, the album is set to be a showcase of a band making music on their own terms. There’s a surge of emotion wrapped in their second single which makes for a track that everyone (not just those who enjoy putting people in their place) will enjoy.
Words by Jen Rose
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