Astles’ songwriting celebrates the refuge of music to a young lad in the North West, surrounded by football-focussed men and machismo — to which his music is the perfect antidote. For two years, Astles has been working independently to create the world around his music: from the upcoming string releases recorded with Sophie Ellis and Bill Ryder Jones, to the expansion of his live show, at points featuring the full Balloon Moon Orchestra. The Liverpool-based songwriter is back with a spring in his step and a collection of songs that furthers his formative sound, described as ‘gorgeous, lilting indie’ by the NME.
