Band BIG SPECIAL announces plans to release extended EP ‘O’JOY!’

BIG SPECIAL has announced the upcoming release of their 10-track EP titled ‘O’JOY!’ scheduled for 5th June via SO Recordings. The EP will include their recent singles ‘SLUGLIFE’, ‘PLAINTIVE NATIVE’, and ‘DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)’, as well as a new track ‘ONLY FREE WHEN SLEEPING’. Described by the duo as “a head-down walking song”, the new song intends to offer a moment of solace for listeners.

The duo of vocalist Joe Hicklin and drummer Callum Moloney, known as BIG SPECIAL, gained recognition with their debut album ‘POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES’ in 2024. They followed up their success with the emotional exploration depicted in their second LP ‘NATIONAL AVERAGE’. The upcoming EP ‘O’JOY!’ fuses the essence of both albums, showcasing songs that didn’t fit into specific timelines but carried significant emotional weight for the artists. BIG SPECIAL expressed their intentions behind the EP, stating, “It’s a positive thing to write songs like this, it’s important to remember that songs aren’t pamphlets. They are emotional reactions to how you feel at a certain time, and you need to let yourself feel and express.”

The tracklist for ‘O’JOY!’ includes ‘PLAINTIVE NATIVE’, ‘ONLY FREE WHEN SLEEPING’, ‘LAZARUS’, ‘THE WAKE’, ‘FAMILY BONES’, ‘GARDEN OF FOOLS’, ‘SLUGLIFE’, ‘DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)’, and ‘HOTEL’. Each track is a unique reflection of different emotional states and experiences.

Fans can catch BIG SPECIAL live at various festivals across the UK and beyond this summer, with several dates yet to be announced. Some of the confirmed festival appearances include Bearded Theory Festival in Derbyshire, Bradninch Music Festival in Devon, TRSMT Festival in Glasgow, Valley Festival in Bristol, Castelo Rock Festival in Spain, Boomtown Festival in Hampshire, and Moseley Folk Festival in Birmingham. More dates are expected to be revealed soon, promising an exciting lineup for fans of the duo.

With the announcement of ‘O’JOY!’ and a busy summer festival schedule ahead, BIG SPECIAL continues to captivate audiences with their unique blend of emotions and music. The EP serves as a bridge between their past experiences and future creative endeavors, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the depths of their artistry and emotions.