With an intimate tour already announced for 2021, including two dates at London’s Union Chapel, Ward Thomas return with ‘Sweet Time’, the first taste of music from their highly-anticipated new album ‘Invitation’. The duo have also announced they have signed to WTW Music through eastwest.
‘Sweet Time’ arrives today and lays down an impressive marker. A graduation in sound and a newfound maturity makes for a profound step up. The track opens the album in style, injecting an exciting pace from the get go, with Haim-like guitar work and bursting with youthful energy.
Listen to ‘Sweet Time’ here.
Largely produced by Jonathan Quarmby (Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker, Finley Quaye), and mostly recorded in lockdown from their Hampshire cottage, ’Invitation’ is a coaxing doorway for all into an exciting new chapter as the fog of a global pandemic begins to lift. There’s palpable energy by the bucket load, and many of its songs benefit from a coming of age for sisters Catherine and Lizzy and a new found voice sees them diversify their sound.
The girls say;
“2020 has been a year full of learning, which we feel has changed our approach to this album. We recorded a lot of it from our cottage, and working remotely came with its share of challenges, but also new opportunities. Although recorded during uncertain times, the record feels like an invitation to a more positive time; to a more open and exciting new chapter. We named it after a lyric in the song ‘Open Your Mind’ because the album feels like an invitation – whether it be figuratively, an invitation to self-reflect, or physically, to a time when we can all party again.”
‘Meant To Be Me’ delivers a new twist on their country roots showcasing a wonderful pop sound mixed with clever use of mandolin, whilst ‘Dear Me’ briefly strips away the music, making for a stunning Imogen Heap-style near acapella performance. There’s also a strong James Bond-esque candidate in ‘My Favourite Poison’, and even their more traditional country-pop tracks have found a new level, with the brilliant ‘Wait Up’ and previously released ‘Hold Space’. Other highlights include the strikingly rhythmic ‘Don’t Be A Stranger’ and epic ‘Someday’.
As bonus tracks the album also includes a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic track ‘Landslide’, their feature with James Blunt on the brilliant ‘Halfway’ from his 2019-released Top 3 album ‘Once Upon A Mind’, and a jaw dropping live performance of The Killers’ ‘Human’ with Jack Savoretti at his huge Wembley Arena headline show last year.
The girls will also embark on an intimate “Invitation” acoustic tour, which was rescheduled due to Covid-19, for April next year. The 16-date run will include two dates at London’s Union Chapel on the 26th & 27th.
2020 may have been a year of global ups and downs so far, but as one door closes, another opens. Enter an exciting new chapter for Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas.
UK TOUR DATES (tickets on-sale here)
April
Fri 9th LIVERPOOL, Grand Theatre
Sat 10th LINCOLN, Engine Shed
Sun 11th BARROW, Forum Theatre
Mon 12th LEEDS, City Varieties
Tue 13th NORWICH, Epic Studios
Thu 15th GLASGOW, Mackintosh Church
Fri 16th EDINBURGH, Queen’s Hall
Sun 18th LEAMINGTON SPA, Assembly
Mon 19th BOURNEMOUTH, O2 Academy
Tue 20th WOKING, New Victoria Theatre
Wed 21st SOUTHEND, Palace Theatre
Fri 23rd BRIGHTON, St George’s
Sat 24th BATH, Forum
Sun 25th MANCHESTER, RNCM Theatre
Mon 26th LONDON, Union Chapel
Tue 27th LONDON, Union Chapel
‘Invitation’ – Track Listing
1. Sweet Time
2. Don’t Be A Stranger
3. Open Your Mind
4. Someday
5. Meant To Be Me
6. Dear Me
7. Hold Space
8. Wait Up
9. My Favourite Poison
10. Painted Legacy
11. If There Were Words
12. Halfway (with James Blunt)
13. Human (Live from Wembley Arena with Jack Savoretti)
14. Landslide
Pre-Order the album here.
