John Hassall And The April Rainers Announce Self-Titled Second Album
John Hassall & The April Rainers have announced their long-awaited second album, with the self-titled record set for release on Friday 17 July 2026 through Crystal Lawn Records.
The album will be available digitally and on limited edition vinyl, with lead single ‘Miracles’ out now. A tender, London-based love story with a wide-eyed sense of everyday magic, the track offers the first glimpse of the band’s next chapter following 2017’s Wheels To Idyll.
Finding wonder in the everyday
Written with longtime poet collaborator Steev Burgess, ‘Miracles’ is described by Hassall as a song about love, hope and chasing dreams. Its accompanying video was directed by Gary Lashmar and features a couple loosely based on John and his Danish wife Line.
The new album was largely recorded at Hassall’s home studio in Aarhus, Denmark, where he has lived since 2009. Produced by the band themselves, the record also bears the influence of string player Clementine Brown, whose presence helped shape its arrangements and atmosphere.
Where Wheels To Idyll leaned into a largely live feel, this new collection expands the palette, keeping Hassall’s classic songwriting instincts intact while building richer, more intricate production around them.
A second chapter with deeper colours
Across its ten songs, the album moves through memories of school days, journeys, fading dreams, ancient empires and small, strange treasures. Most of the material was co-written by Hassall and Burgess, while Peter Doherty, Hassall’s bandmate in The Libertines, receives a co-writing credit on ‘Doing Time’.
The album follows the warmly received Wheels To Idyll, which drew praise for its Laurel Canyon hues, psychedelic pop charm and Hassall’s melodic ease. Since then, Hassall has continued to work with The Libertines, whose 2024 album All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade reached number one.
The album will be available on digital download and limited edition vinyl. Lead single Miracles is available May 29th when you preorder the album from: https://linktr.ee/theaprilrainers
John Hassall & The April Rainers tracklist
- Miracles
- Doing Time
- A 45 To 1967
- That Pale Lantern
- Silver Crucifixion
- Last Lover Of The Summer
- A Land I’ll Never Know
- Shaded Roman Eyes
- Winter Term
- Leaf-lined Song
The April Rainers
John Hassall & The April Rainers are based in Aarhus, Denmark, and feature:
John Hassall – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jakob Bruno – backing vocals, drums
Erlend Eggestad – backing vocals, bass
James Jefferys – backing vocals, lead guitar
UK shows from John Hassall & The April Rainers are set to be announced shortly. In the meantime, Hassall will appear with The Libertines at summer festivals across Europe and the UK.
