About to hit the road supporting Florence + The Machine on her UK Arena Tour, Willie J Healey shares new single ‘Sure It Feels Good’ – another taster of new album Bunny out 24th March 2023 via YALA! Records.
The video was shot and directed by longtime collaborator, Joe Wheatley. It answers the question, how many grapes can Willie fit in his mouth at once
The single follows track ‘Dreams’ which was supported by BBC Radio 1, BBC6 Music, CLASH, NME, Rolling Stone, and more, including the likes of Greg James, Jack Saunders, and Steve Lamacq.
New album Bunny sees Healey diving whole-heartedly into funk, Philly soul and R&B in a set that echoes Sly and The Family Stone, Midnite Vultures-era Beck and a little OutKast. Yet Willie comes at this classic sound via an unusual influence: David Bowie’s relatively undiscovered The Gouster – an album of the Thin White Duke at his funkiest.
Known as your favourite artists’ favourite artist, Healey has been praised by the likes of Alex Turner, Joe Talbot of IDLES, Jamie T, Florence Welch, Orlando Weeks and more, since the Neil Young-meets-The Beatles-meets Elvis Costello charms of his 2020 album Twin Heavy.
Outside of its fresh sonic style, Bunny stands out due to its vibrant feelgood factor. His personal sense of contentment is so engaging you can’t help but fall under its spell, especially as love is a recurring topic. While there’s a fresh maturity to his words and a desire to express more universal emotions, there’s still plenty of his dry British humour at play as we heard with the recent low-key fan release ‘Tiger Woods’.
Teaming up with producer and drummer Loren Humphrey (Florence + The Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey), Healey headed to New York with his long-term bassist Harry Deacon to record alongside Loren’s ridiculously accomplished team of musicians. He compares the experience to being like Brian Wilson: he writes and fronts the songs, but it was an unadulterated joy to let the band work their magic. Another guest comes in the shape of Jamie T, who inspired and features on ‘Thank You’.
In addition to its digital & streaming formats, the album will also be released on standard black vinyl and a pink gatefold vinyl, which will be available exclusively from his store HERE. A transparent vinyl edition will be available via key indie stores and HMV, while a Rough Trade edition features exclusive, alternate artwork.
Bunny
Out 24th March 2023 via YALA! Records
Pre-order HERE
Tour Dates
17/11/22 – Brighton, Komedia (own show)
18/11/22 – London, O2 Arena w/ Florence and the Machine
19/11/22 – London, O2 Arena w/ Florence and the Machine
21/11/22 – Bournemouth, BIC w/ Florence and the Machine
22/11/22 – Manchester, AO Arena w/ Florence and the Machine
24/11/22 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena w/ Florence and the Machine
25/11/22 – Leeds, First Direct Arena w/ Florence and the Machine
27/11/22 – Glasgow, Ovo Hydro w/ Florence and the Machine
28/11/22 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena w/ Florence and the Machine
30/11/22 – Dublin, 3Arena w/ Florence and the Machine
Please see his website for a full list of dates.
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