From late-night temptation to morning-after reflection, The Howlers return with a record that captures the thrill, danger and consequence of living in the moment. Following a breakthrough debut and an intense period of reinvention, Heavy signals a bold new chapter for one of the UK's most exciting modern rock bands.

There are albums born from heartbreak, and there are albums born from what happens after the healing begins. For London rock outfit The Howlers, their second album Heavy falls firmly into the latter category, trading the grief-soaked themes of their acclaimed debut for something far more restless, impulsive and unpredictable.

Released on 9 October via FLG Records, Heavy arrives after months of anticipation, a string of well-received singles and a period of significant change for the band. Having shared stages with the likes of Wolfmother, Alice Cooper, ZZ Top and Deep Purple, The Howlers have steadily built a reputation as a formidable live act, blending swaggering rock'n'roll with cinematic atmosphere and emotional honesty.

At its core, Heavy explores the tension between desire and consequence. It's an album fuelled by late-night conversations, reckless decisions and the allure of losing yourself in the moment, while never shying away from the inevitable reckoning that follows.

Frontman Adam Young describes the record as a reflection on the seductive nature of impulsiveness and the realities that eventually emerge when the dust settles. It is a theme that runs throughout the album, creating a body of work that feels both intensely personal and universally relatable.

Musically, Heavy sees The Howlers expanding their sonic palette. Tracks such as "Cold Sweat" bring atmospheric synth textures into the mix, while "D.R.I.V.E" channels open-road freedom through towering rock energy. Yet it is the album's focus track, "Late Nights", that perhaps best encapsulates the record's central themes.

Built around a hypnotic bassline, brooding instrumentation and Young's distinctive vocal delivery, the track captures the intoxicating thrill of crossing boundaries and embracing temptation. Beneath its cool exterior, however, lies a more sobering message, examining the impact of addiction and self-destructive behaviour on both the individual and those around them.

The creative process behind Heavy also marks a departure from traditional recording methods. Written and produced with long-time collaborator Chris Ostler (Black Honey), much of the album was developed remotely, with ideas and recordings exchanged digitally before being refined and brought to life in rehearsal spaces. The result is a record that feels simultaneously polished and raw, balancing experimentation with the physical energy that has become a hallmark of The Howlers' live performances.

The album also documents a period of transformation within the band itself. Following changes to the line-up at the end of 2024, Young rebuilt The Howlers as a streamlined two-piece alongside drummer Toby Richards. Rather than limiting their ambitions, the shift appears to have sharpened their focus, resulting in a record that feels confident, cohesive and creatively reinvigorated.

That confidence is well-earned. Debut album What You've Got To Lose To Win It All broke into the UK Independent Breakers Top 10 and secured support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Radio X and Absolute Radio, while sold-out headline tours across the UK and Europe demonstrated the band's growing appeal beyond the studio.

With Heavy, The Howlers are not simply building on that momentum. They are redefining themselves. It is the sound of a band embracing change, confronting uncomfortable truths and emerging stronger for it. Equal parts reflection and release, the album captures the exhilarating highs and sobering lows of chasing something greater than yourself.

As The Howlers prepare to take Heavy across the UK and Europe, one thing feels certain: this is not a band looking back at past successes. They're driving headlong into their next chapter, headlights blazing through the darkness.

Heavy is out now via FLG Records.

‘HEAVY’ TRACKLIST

Cold Sweat
Late Nights
Viper
L.A Morning
Once In A Lifetime
Night Crawling
D.R.I.V.E
Heavy
You Can Be So Cruel
White Heat
Change My Name
Goodbye

Instore Tour

9th October - Apple Stump, Nantwich

9th October - Wax & Beans, Bury

10th October - Pie & Vinyl, Portsmouth

10th October - Banquet Records, Kingston

11th October - Intense Records (Viaduct), Chelmsford

12th October - Rough Trade, Bristol

13th October - Rockabuy Records, Oakham

13th October - Rough Trade, Nottingham

14th October - Rough Trade East, London

15th October - A.S.L.O.V, Gosport

15th October - Vinilo, Southampton

16th October - Sound Knowledge, Marlborough

16th October - Truck, Oxford

17th October - Jacaranda Records, Liverpool

18th October - Assai, Glasgow

18th October - Assai, Aberdeen

19th October - Assai, Edinburgh

20th October - Beyond, Newcastle

20th October - Crash, Leeds

21st October - Vinyl Tap, Huddersfield

Album Tour

3rd March - Mash House, Edinburgh

4th March - The Cluny, Newcastle

5th March, The Deaf Institute, Manchester

6th March - O2 Institute 3, Birmingham

10th March - Exchange, Bristol

11th March - The Joiners, Southampton

12th March - Bush Hall, London

13th March - Arts Centre, Norwich

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