Thrillhouse - Smile

“With sun-drenched songs, Thrillhouse are full of heart – Rolling Stone

Thrillhouse’s recent single ‘I’ll Still Be There’ blended the propulsive energy of The War On Drugs with the leftfield indie-pop flair of The Cure, in the process earning praise from Sharon Van Etten, UK airplay from Steve Lamacq at 6 Music and John Kennedy at Radio X, national radio support in Germany (Bayern2) and Austria (FM4) and spins from Steve Wide at RRR in Melbourne. It followed ‘Wanna See You Smile’, which introduced them to a new audience when it amassed 25 million views as it soundtracked anInstagram post from Luna The Pantera.

Now the Brighton (UK) duo are poised to capitalise upon that momentum as they share the new single ‘See You’ ahead of the April 3rd release of their second album, ‘Smile’, on April 3rd. They launch the album alongside the new single ‘See You’.

Thrillhouse’s Sam Baldwin was in a mire of personal turmoil as he started writing material for the album. Besieged by a break-up and a succession of bereavements, those emotions became infused in his composition – after all, songs are so often an extension of their creator’s personal experiences. But between the cathartic release of channelling those feelings into his music and the natural passing of time, that conflict translated into contentment. It’s a journey documented in ‘Smile’, a record which reflects life’s myriad and often unpredictable twists-and-turns.

Sam says, “When you’re going through those things, you often feel like you’re the only one dealing with them. A lot of these songs were written as a message of support to people that I love. But I also realised that I was writing for myself, too. Like, this is what I need to hear.”

The album’s latest, ‘See You’, embraces a driving Americana energy that hints at their admiration for Tom Petty. Lyrically it’s Sam’s own personal story, but one that’s expressed through a relatable feeling: the need to always keep the door open for someone should they return to your life in the future.

He explains, “‘See You’ feels like a message left unsent for too long. It looks at a friend who’s drifted off course, worn down by time and circumstance, and meets them with patience instead of blame. The song sits in that space between absence and connection, saying you don’t have to have it all together to reach out. No pressure, no fixing, just the reassurance that when the world’s been rough and the road’s gone quiet, there’s still someone on the other end, ready when you are.”

Elsewhere, Sam and bandmate Jack Nielsen draw on influences such as Bob Dylan, Echo & The Bunnymen, Sam Prine and Lou Reed while also feeling in tune with Tom Petty, Neil Young and Wilco. The record’s other highlights chart the emotional spectrum. It addresses the love shared between a parents and a child (‘I’ll Still Be There’) and heartbroken desolation (‘Couldn’t Save It’) through to triumphing over troubles (‘Seven Wonders’) and the hope that comes with a love that makes the world a better place (‘The Tide’). And that’s exactly what ‘Smile’ conveys. Times can be challenging, but the combination of a little love and music’s escapist wonders can be the first step to somewhere altogether happier.

‘Smile’ is now available to pre-order, released via the Manchester indie label Spirit of Spike Island, who secured a UK #1 Independent Album with Pastel’s ‘Souls In Motion’. The CD format is available HERE, while a limited edition blue ocean vinyl is available from select international record stores listed HERE. A glowing red vinyl sold-out in just four minutes.

Thrillhouse’s live plans include a special homecoming album launch show at The Folklore Rooms in Brighton on release day – tickets for which are available HERE. In-stores in London and Manchester. Expect more details to be revealed soon.