CUSP have shared ‘Me And Lily In The Falling Rain’, the latest harbinger of their forthcoming debut album, English Country, due for release on 16 October. The new single follows the arrival of the album’s anthemic title track.
The release finds CUSP leaning into the expansive songwriting that has become a defining feature of their sound. Framed by sweeping string arrangements and an expressive guitar solo, ‘Me And Lily In The Falling Rain’ balances cinematic ambition with an intimate story, as frontman Dan Stock reflects on the everyday moments that can come to shape a life:
“This feels like the most ambitious thing we’ve done. It’s my favourite on the album both in terms of the song itself and the way it sounds. We were really inspired by Urban Hymns – timeless songwriting but with a really expansive, cinematic sound. I was thinking about Burt Bacharach with the end section but it ended up almost like late Arctic Monkeys. There’s a scale to it but behind all of that, the story is really small. It’s just about how a person can give meaning to an ordinary life.“
Written by Stock, the track was recorded with bassist Adam Webster and drummer Jack Gooderham, produced by Jake Robbins (Natives, The October Game), and features string arrangements by Alex Cornish who has previously written music for documentaries on BBC 2, BBC3, Sky and Showtime, for feature films, short films, adverts and animations.
The release is another taster of the highly-anticipated English Country, an album shaped by influences including Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Shack, Oasis, The Verve and Aztec Camera. The record explores themes of young adulthood, resilience, self-belief and the pursuit of brighter horizons, combining classic songwriting influences with the band’s own contemporary perspective.
Since forming, CUSP have steadily built their reputation through a run of high-profile live performances and industry support. The trio have earned praise from Noel Gallagher, shared stages with Lottery Winners, The Royston Club, The Snuts, DMA’S and Red Rum Club, and also collaborated with Tom A. Smith, while continuing to grow their audience through a busy touring schedule.
English Country is available to pre-order and pre-save now HERE. Alongside digital platforms, the album will also be released on blue vinyl and CD.
With the album set to arrive on 16 October, CUSP will spend the coming months on the road, continuing their summer festival run before embarking on their first UK headline tour later this autumn. All tickets are available HERE.
Upcoming live dates
July
18 July – Godney Gathering, Glastonbury
26 July – Truck Festival (This Feeling Stage), Oxfordshire
31 July – Y NOT? Festival, Derbyshire
August
20 August – 110 Above Festival, Leicester
October – UK Headline Tour
22 October – Deaf Institute Lodge, Manchester
23 October – Zerox, Newcastle
24 October – Audio, Glasgow
November – UK Headline Tour
5 November – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
6 November – Arundel Emporium, Sheffield
7 November – Water Rats, London
