Formed in 2011, The Spook School carved out a reputation as one of the most beloved queer acts of their generation. Nominated for Scottish Album of The Year in 2018 with their third and final studio album Could It Be Different? on Alcopop! Records, it was an internationally acclaimed release that was packed with hope and good will, passionately championing LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity years ahead of the public discourse.
Following their final farewell tour and subsequent split in August/September 2019, The Spook School staged their own disappearance to the moon, remaining otherwise inactive, save for a sold-out duo of December 2023 reunion shows celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Fortuna POP! debut album Dress Up.
Now, with the political climate growing ever more hostile and LGBTQ+ rights under threat around the world once more, the time is ripe for The Spook School’s return with new album Like A Heartbeat; the heroes we deserve, carrying a message of resilience, solidarity, and—vitally—hope for the future.
“Unfortunately our songs seem more relevant than ever.” laments Nye. “We kind of hoped our old material would become culturally outdated, but we still feel we have something so important to say, especially as things seem to be getting so much worse. Something particularly infuriating about the last few years is the never-ending torrent of conversations and decisions about trans people's right to exist which take place without any trans people actually having a voice. Sometimes the level of ignorance is so extreme that it would almost be funny if it wasn’t being used as the basis to try and kick us out of society, but when it’s judges, or politicians, or employers that are choosing to get all of their ‘facts’ from anti-trans hate groups it’s not funny—it’s dangerous and negligent.”
Recorded with Rod Jones of Scottish rock titans Idlewild at his Post Electric Studio in Leith, Edinburgh, new album Like A Heartbeat is undeniably The Spook School’s most fully realised, cohesive, and sonically refined record to date. This is a timely, vital return.
Following their final farewell tour and subsequent split in August/September 2019, The Spook School staged their own disappearance to the moon, remaining otherwise inactive, save for a sold-out duo of December 2023 reunion shows celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Fortuna POP! debut album Dress Up.
Now, with the political climate growing ever more hostile and LGBTQ+ rights under threat around the world once more, the time is ripe for The Spook School’s return with new album Like A Heartbeat; the heroes we deserve, carrying a message of resilience, solidarity, and—vitally—hope for the future.
“Unfortunately our songs seem more relevant than ever.” laments Nye. “We kind of hoped our old material would become culturally outdated, but we still feel we have something so important to say, especially as things seem to be getting so much worse. Something particularly infuriating about the last few years is the never-ending torrent of conversations and decisions about trans people's right to exist which take place without any trans people actually having a voice. Sometimes the level of ignorance is so extreme that it would almost be funny if it wasn’t being used as the basis to try and kick us out of society, but when it’s judges, or politicians, or employers that are choosing to get all of their ‘facts’ from anti-trans hate groups it’s not funny—it’s dangerous and negligent.”
Recorded with Rod Jones of Scottish rock titans Idlewild at his Post Electric Studio in Leith, Edinburgh, new album Like A Heartbeat is undeniably The Spook School’s most fully realised, cohesive, and sonically refined record to date. This is a timely, vital return.
TRACK LISTING
Side A
Margins
Saying It All
Corporate Caring
A Little Clearer
Falling
Same Old Song
Side B
Time
Can’t Speak Up
Survive
New Town
You’re Wrong
