Bastille presents "&" (Ampersand): a collection of story songs, out now

Today marks the release of the hugely anticipated new album, “&” (Ampersand), a beautiful new project from Bastille’s Dan Smith. “&” is collection of story songs that explores the worlds of fascinating figures from history, mythology, and pop culture, fed by new collaborations with friends and family, dazzling arrangements and an infectious spirit of musical freedom. Watch Dan introduce the making of “&” here

Over recent weeks, fans have been captivated by the warmth and intimacy of the songs released from “&”. It’s a record Dan first began writing in 2020 feeling the pull to do something gentler, where the writing process took him back to a time before Bastille’s 2013 debut “Bad Blood” on which he wrote all the songs solo. On “&”, Dan almost completely gives himself up to the stories of others as the record’s opener, Intros & Narrators. outlines, these are stories from Smith’s perspective. We meet fascinating individuals neglected by mainstream history and whose stories are often not given enough time and space to breathe and sing. There’s also a touching song inspired by Dan’s family entitled, Telegraph Road 1977 & 2024 that connects him with his father’s poetry, his mother’s singing, and the idea of how music is shared and passed on.

New single, Drawbridge & The Baroness offers a particular highlight on the album, with its sonic textures and an awe inspiring vocal from Smith. Watch a stunning performance of the track in session on Jo Whiley’s Radio 2 show here. After the performance Jo said, ‘That was insanely good’ and following the end of the session she continued, “It’s one of the best sessions we have ever had, I have never had so many goosebumps throughout an entire hour of music, that’s so beautiful, so extraordinarily brilliant.”

It follows the two track release, Part Two featuring the soaring single, Blue Sky & The Painter inspired by the Norwegian expressionist painter, Edvard Munch, which the artsdesk describes as “a smart, heart-elevating song about conquering depression”, an XFM Record of The Week, the track is currently on the station’s daytime playlist. Leonard & Marianne is inspired by the complex relationship between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen, a mesmerizing love song, which The Times included in their Best Songs of the Week citing, “Haunting Strings and Dan Smith’s vulnerability make a lasting impact on this single about love and loss.”

Tune in to Chris Hawkins on 6 Music later today from 1pm to hear Smith live on air during the show to talk about “&”.

After the performance Jo said, ‘that was insanely good’ and following the end of the session she continued, “It’s one of the best sessions we have ever had, I have never had so many goosebumps throughout an entire hour of music, that’s so beautiful, so extraordinarily brilliant.”

A deeper dive into the characters stories from the album are explored on the critically acclaimed podcast, ‘MUSES: An Ampersand Podcast’ - a new podcast blending music, history and storytelling hosted by Smith and academic/podcaster Emma Nagouse (BBC Radio 4’s You’re Dead to Me and BBC Sounds’ Homeschool History). The Guardian called the podcast ‘fascinating’ as the two collaborate to uncover the lives of the poets, artists, anthropologists and trailblazers featured on the record and break down Dan’s journey of transforming their lives into songs for “&”.

To celebrate the album’s release the “&” live tour will take place in November with 7 special one-off shows across seven global cities including Paris, Belgium, Amsterdam, Berlin, Los Angeles, New York and at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on the 17th November. All shows sold out instantly.

A channel for storytelling, performed in natural ways with friends, collaborators and even family, full of warmth and the energy of connection, is what “&” is all about. It’s a collection of songs about looking out at the world, disappearing into other lives rather than into ourselves, and about the humanity that can crackle and shimmer as a consequence.