Howling Bells Share New Single “Heavy Lifting”

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Howling Bells Share New Single “Heavy Lifting”

Band Announce First Album in Over a Decade, Strange Life, Out February 13, 2026 via Nude Records

Oct 23, 2025 By Andy Von Pip Photography by David Titlow

Howling Bells have shared their new single “Heavy Lifting,” taken from their forthcoming album Strange Life, their first full-length release in over 12 years, arriving February 13, 2026 on Nude Records.

Following their brooding yet soaring comeback track “Unbroken,” “Heavy Lifting” features loose-limbed drums and bluesy intonation as Juanita Stein takes aim at the entitled and the opportunist.

She explains: “‘Heavy Lifting’ is a hazy and grunge-fuelled declaration. Like anyone who’s worked at the thing they love tirelessly, you build up great resilience. The callouses on your hands, the muscles you’ve strengthened, the swagger in your stride. ‘Heavy Lifting’ is a song about the thousands of miles you walk to acquire this kind of confidence; this is not anything that can be stripped away from you.”

The single is accompanied by a video directed by Orlando Cubitt.

Howling Bells will return to the stage for a sold-out show at Camden’s Lock Tavern on November 5, with more live dates to be announced soon.

Formed by Australian siblings Juanita and Joel Stein alongside drummer Glenn Moule, Howling Bells first broke through with their acclaimed self-titled debut in 2006, standing apart from the scrappy British indie scene of the time. Their hypnotic blend of sepia-toned romance and gritty rock ’n’ roll draws influence from Tom Waits, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, and Björk.

Strange Life, the band’s first album since 2014’s Heartstrings, was recorded with long-time friend and collaborator Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode, Elbow) at his Agricultural Audio Studios.