The Snuts on their fourth album, returning to TRNSMT and why this record feels different
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Written by Lauren Page | @LiveWithLP
There's no place quite like home, and for The Snuts, returning to TRNSMT Festival is always a highlight of the summer. Fresh from announcing their fourth studio album and a huge UK headline tour, LiveWithLP caught up with Joe McGillveray and Jordan Mackay backstage ahead of their set to chat about the new record, intimate shows and why they're finally feeling more relaxed than ever.
"It's always one of the best dates on the calendar," they smiled. "We're really excited to do it."
The conversation quickly turned to what's shaping up to be a huge few months for the Scottish indie favourites. Their fourth studio album is complete, and after spending months writing and recording, they're now looking ahead to finally sharing it with fans.
"It's finished," they said. "We're in relaxation mode now and getting ready to take it on tour."
Alongside the bigger headline dates, The Snuts have also announced a selection of smaller, more intimate shows, something they're genuinely excited to revisit.
"We were out a couple of months ago doing some of the smaller towns. It's exciting getting to announce the big tour as well, but those shows were brilliant."
Four albums into their career, the band admit this record feels different to anything they've released before. Not because they've completely changed their sound, but because they've stopped worrying about what people expect from them.
"Our first album was the first record. Then the second one was the first album where you're not worrying about making your first album anymore.
"This one's the fourth now, and I honestly feel like it's the first album where we've really relaxed and settled into ourselves.
"There's not as much pressure to be doing a certain type of music anymore. Every song has a real meaning behind it."
While fans can still expect the huge indie choruses The Snuts have become known for, there's a more reflective side running throughout the record.
"It's definitely a meaningful album," Joe explained. "The songs are still happy, there's still bangers in there, but there's a lot more behind them."
One phrase used to describe the album particularly stood out to me beforehand when reading about the upcmoning album"the sludgy worries of real life." It's an unusual way to sum up a record, but according to the band, it's something almost everyone can relate to.
"I think it's reflective of how everyone feels if they're being honest," Joe said.
"The point of the album is looking at your life and finding the things that maybe aren't the standout moments people always sing about, but they're the beautiful things you've really got to hold onto to get you through."
Before heading off to get ready for their TRNSMT set, the conversation turned to festival crowds and whether summer shows are a good opportunity to test out brand new music.
The Snuts aren't convinced.
"I wouldn't test unreleased music at a festival," they said. "People pay a lot of money for these tickets to hear the songs they know."
Instead, fans can expect exactly what they'd hoped for.
"It's a really good festival set. It's all the songs people want to hear. We've got a couple of the new ones in there because they're really summery, jump-about tunes."
Finally, I asked my favourite question - who should everyone be listening to right now?
Without hesitation they recommended Brògeal, who recently supported the band on tour.
"They're absolutely amazing. It's kind of traditional music with an indie rock and roll vibe."
Their second recommendation was Heidi Curtis.
"She supported us on the Burn The Empire tour a couple of years ago. She's just put out her first EP and she's been getting better and better. It's kind of Fleetwood Mac/ witchy vibe, it's really something else."
With album four just around the corner, a packed tour schedule ahead and another memorable homecoming at TRNSMT under their belts, The Snuts are entering their next chapter with a renewed sense of confidence. If this is the first time they've truly felt relaxed making a record, fans could be about to hear their strongest work yet.
Joy In Short Moments is available to pre-order and out October 23rd