Nothing But Thieves share a bold alternate glimpse into their new chapter with, ‘Stray Dogs', the dynamic and confident title track from their forthcoming fifth studio album.
After cryptically teasing the song to fans during live sets over the past few months, new single and title track ‘Stray Dogs’ is a compelling return to their heavier rock sound. Opening with a siren-like call to attention, the experimental track builds in unnerving intensity before escalating to a pulsating chorus of authoritative vocals, thrashing guitars and crushing drums, teasingly and discordantly bringing the atmosphere back down, before reaching its huge climax. It is an exhilarating five minute cacophony of sound.
The accompanying visualiser marks their first collaboration with acclaimed British visual artist Weirdcore (Aphex Twin, Thom Yorke) and flits between animation and distorted footage of real fans, showcasing them as a pack of ‘stray dogs’ and continuing the collaborative and communal theme behind their new album.
Listen to ‘Stray Dogs’ on North London Forever.
The band says, “We’ve spent a long time writing about the negative aspects of pack mentality – tribalism, division. This song is the converse. ‘Stray Dogs’ is about finding your people. The image that stayed with us was of our road family, when there are thirty of us gathered in some far-flung part of the world. Or the moment the doors open and thousands of people come streaming into a festival or one of our shows, becoming one.
“It’s about belonging and shared momentum. I guess the community we have built for the last decade. Once the idea of ‘Stray Dogs’ was fully formed, it made sense to base the rest of the album around it.”
With an ever-evolving world-building approach both musically and visually, Nothing But Thieves returned to their roots – literally and thematically – during their recent time in the studio, recording at Angelic Studios where they made their debut record, looking back to how they began with a DIY spirit rooted in authenticity. Rather than carving new ideas out on the road, their new record was written in unison over a dedicated five month period, resulting in the band creating their most liberating and cohesive work to date. New album Stray Dogs speaks to the power of community, belonging and the collective shared experiences that unite outsiders, including the immediate ‘stray dogs’ in the band’s own world and their dedicated legion of fans.
Recently, the band support Biffy Clyro at Finsbury Park in London, ahead of supporting them in Edinburgh next month, and this summer includes further festival performances across Europe. Tthe band also just announced their biggest headline tour to date commencing in January 2027 with shows across the UK & Ireland, Europe, the United States and Canada. Dates include Manchester’s Co-Op Live, London’s O2 Arena and European shows at the 23,000 capacity AFAS Dome in Antwerp and two nights at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, which both sold out straight away.
