Big Stir Records is very proud to announce the December 12 release of a new album from England's own THE GOLD NEEDLES on CD and Streaming worldwide. MOOD ELEVATOR, the fourth full-length release from the Kingston-Upon-Hull-based indie rockers and their first for BSR, features no fewer than four indie hit singles released across the past year including last month's “Turns To Gold” and their 2024 label bow “I Don't Know About That.” MOOD ELEVATOR is sure to be a late-year hit, and it's up for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/goldneedles-moodelevator

With MOOD ELEVATOR, THE GOLD NEEDLES (Simon Dowson, lead vocals, guitar; Dave Burbage, lead guitar; Mark English, keyboards; Carl Slaughter, bass; Will Jones, drums) have taken a definitive leap forward in an already acclaimed career. There's a new polish to the production that retains all the band's energy, and the tunes are the catchiest the Needles have ever crafted. The strength of the singles – the pure power pop of “I Don't Know About That,” the lush textures of “Supernature,” the hooks of the acerbic “Turns To Gold” and the sheer beauty of the current “Crescent Moon” (already taking the global indie rock airwaves by storm) – are evidence enough that an already exciting group has leveled up, but the depth of the album is still a revelation. All ten songs are up to the standards of the singles, presenting the label with the good-problem-to-have of picking the tracks to receive standalone releases in support of MOOD ELEVATOR.

It's thus that “Keep On Telling Me Why,” a punchy and completely infectious rocker with an eminently relatable theme, will be the record's fifth single this Winter. But even with fully half of the album's tracks getting showcases on the airwaves, there's more: one trip through the record reveals the way the urgent “Eleven Eleven,” the second track on the album, propels the album forward, barely leaving the listener time to catch their breath. “I'll Take My Chances” would likewise have been a clear pick for airplay on any other album, and “Someone Someday” puts a unique GNs spin on the Style Council/Aztec Camera sonics of '80s radio. With so many of the tracks pulling inspiration from the whole of rock history from the '60s British Invasion to the '90s Britpop movement and beyond, MOOD ELEVATOR is perhaps most remarkable in its timelessness. Almost any of these tracks could have been a commercial hit at any point during those decades: it's equally easy to imagine these tracks rubbing shoulders on the charts with the Stones, Cheap Trick, Duran Duran or Blur... or indeed The Bay City Rollers, who are specifically cited by the band as a key inspiration for the accessible approach they so adroitly achieve here.

More importantly, the record simply radiates confidence and, even better, the joy of a band that clearly knows they're onto something special. The closing track, a killer near-instrumental whose only lyrics are its own (and the album's) title, illuminates how much fun THE GOLD NEEDLES have clearly had creating these songs in a way that can't help but sweep the listener along with them. The title is no accident: this is an album intended to raise spirits, and early reactions strongly suggest that it's a rousing success. Take a ride on this MOOD ELEVATOR... we feel certain you will agree.

With THE GOLD NEEDLES' new album MOOD ELEVATOR just announced, Big Stir Records proudly presents the fourth and final pre-release single from the record. “Crescent Moon,” an atmospheric ballad demonstrating the record's depth after rocking indie hits like “Turns To Gold” and “I Don't Know About That,” sees release November 14 (four weeks before the album) and is up for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/goldneedles-cresentmoon

MOOD ELEVATOR is the fourth album from THE GOLD NEEDLES (Simon Dowson, lead vocals, guitar; Dave Burbage, lead guitar; Mark English, keyboards; Carl Slaughter, bass; Will Jones, drums), and it's already being hailed as a major leap forward for an already beloved leading light of the British power pop and indie rock scene. “Crescent Moon” is just one more reason to look forward to its December 12 release on CD and Streaming, and a beautifully textured and evocative counterpoint to the three other tunes that've teased the album. But it wouldn't do to label it as “the ballad”... it's much more than that, as the band explains.

“On the surface, 'Crescent Moon' appears to be a song about being uplifted when apathy surrounds, and in a literal and lyrical sense it probably is about this thorny subject,” says the band's Mark English. “However, against that grain, the whole creation of this track was extremely joyous and without doubt it is the most spontaneous number on MOOD ELEVATOR. Lead guitar supremo Dave was working on a delightful minor key soundscape that minus vocals would've found a great place on a movie soundtrack, and he brought that musical idea to the Needles to gauge opinion. It had already been given its ultimate title, as it seemed to musically evoke that image of a crescent moon, and its many potential meanings: new beginnings, wisdom, intention, growth and positivity... the list goes on!”

English continues, “Put simply, the title felt just right attached to the minor key chordal groove. The spontaneity of this track is how it all so beautifully fell into place to create a finished article that included vocals. Lead vocalist Simon had written the first verse on the Number 35 bus to Willerby en route to a band meeting, and within the first half hour after his arrival, I'd pieced together verse 2 with its 'silver and gold' and 'wax and the wane' references. The chorus had almost written itself. Indeed, to this day well after recording the song, we still aren't categoric about whether the chorus refrain is 'High High Crescent Moon' or 'Hi Hi Crescent Moon'. The truth is it can be either, and the listener is free to choose! That's why we find the end result to be something delightfully spontaneous and highly refreshing... THE GOLD NEEDLES doing what we do best.”

It's a story that's emblematic of the renewed and palpable creative drive behind MOOD ELEVATOR, as an album and a new beginning for THE GOLD NEEDLES. What's better yet is that the band hasn't made any missteps across their four-album career, meaning that for fans, the record is quite simply a leveling up, and almost undeniably a new high point in an already impressive career. On December 12, the world will be able to hear it in full.

It's a new single for British guitar pop veterans THE GOLD NEEDLES, as the radio-ready rocker “Turns To Gold” hits all digital platforms worldwide on October 24. It's the fourth new track from the band this year, following the indie hits “I Don't Know About That” and “Supernature” as well as their scene-stealing contribution to the Big Stir Records Halloween collection CHILLING, THRILLING HOOKS AND HARMONIES (out now), all signaling an imminent album announcement. Until then, “Turns To Gold” (with the Halloween track “Ghost In The Airwaves” included as a virtual B-side) is up for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/goldneedles-ttg

Following the lush textures of “Supernature” and the spooky psychedelia of “Ghost In The Airwaves,” THE GOLD NEEDLES – Simon Dowson (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dave Burbage (lead and rhythm guitars), Mark English (keyboards, backing vocals), Carl Slaughter (bass guitar, harmony vocals) and Will Jones (drums) – return to the rock arena with “Turns To Gold”. It's a song that ventures lyrically into the subject matter of the Entertainment Industry – murky and dangerous waters to swim in without sounding overtly cynical or too self congratulatory! – and the Needles possibly take the more cynical route, but with full understanding that it's basically “how this business works” and not be taken as a swipe at the engines that drive the fame game.

Given the subject matter, the band set out to create a song that sounded BIG in every way possible. Musically, it stemmed from distinctive speaker shredding guitar motifs designed to catch the listener’s ear instantly, almost like you've heard them before, but the band promise you haven't! THE GOLD NEEDLES bring their celebrated arrangement skills to bear in getting the right sequence of musical events in this song and are super-proud of the sonic results: you can hear strong hints of the Pistols’ Cook and Jones in the chugging rhythm guitar and classic Thin Lizzy in the riffs and guitar soloing. The oscillating keyboard sounds of the chorus suggest a Cars influence that is definitely intended! It's far from a pastiche replay, though, as these influences are put into modern day context.

“Originally the song had a longer title, 'Everything You Touch Turns To Gold,' and confession time here, this title was almost borrowed from a class 1987 track by legendary Australian band The Triffids entitled 'Everything You Touch Turns To Time.' Ultimately we edited the title down to 'Turns To Gold' – the only minimalist move in the crafting of this very big song,” the band explain. “It's well-known that most of us in the entertainment business have encountered a 'bumpy ride' at times, and certain figures we've come across can either be really positive or really negative. It's all part of the game and it's what moulds us. It's both the rough and smooth rides that take us to our destination.” You can feel the weight of experience and wisdom gained in equal parts: “Turns To Gold” is a musical vehicle that tries to explain just some of the band's journey. But it's also the invigorating sound of THE GOLD NEEDLES rounding the corner onto new terrain, with a new album very soon to be announced. For now, crank up “Turns To Gold” (and “Ghost In The Airwaves”) and feel the buzz of the ride!

British guitar pop veterans THE GOLD NEEDLES return with a new single that's both a throwback to their origins and a look ahead at a new album to come before the end of 2025 from Big Stir Records. “Supernature”, a lush new offering from the Kingston-Upon-Hull band (and an irresistible indie hit-to-be), debuts on all streaming services May 2, accompanied by an Official Music Video see release just before the street date. It's up for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/goldneedles-supernature

THE GOLD NEEDLES – Simon Dowson (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dave Burbage (lead and rhythm guitars), Mark English (keyboards, backing vocals), Carl Slaughter (bass guitar, harmony vocals) and Will Jones (drums) – slow things from their prior hit indie single, “I Don't Know About That”, a pop rock dispatch that served as their debut for Big Stir Records last fall. Still laden with instantly memorable hooks, “Supernature” is something entirely different: a swirling and stately affair that traces its origins back to the very genesis of the band a decade ago. Mark English tells the tale:

“At THE GOLD NEEDLES' inception as a band in 2015, there were three songs on the table for consideration. Firstly, the track 'Pearls', which became the first album’s title track. Then there was a song called 'Fifteen Gold Needles' which, despite being a live favourite tied directly to the band's name, is still unrecorded! Finally, there was this song, 'Supernature', which has remained uncommitted to tape…until now. The band wanted to leave it until the time felt right, and a decade down the line is the time!”

Cosmic and expansive in sound, “Supernature” is intended as a kind of New Age prog/pop-rock hybrid, which along with the power pop style has always been a big element of the Needles sound. The title was derived from the classic book of the same name written by Lyall Watson which inspired a big school of thought around the idea of creating order out of chaos. Musically, it draws on the idea used heavily by The Beatles where the guitar chords are dictated by their shape and position on the fretboard, allowing the player to concentrate on looking forward at the audience rather than gazing downwards. The vocals are more gentle and plaintive than some of the band’s harmony-stacked pop-rock tunes, but the harmony element is still prevalent. Both the keyboards and bass cut weaving melodic motifs throughout the song, and the real sting in the tail is the amazing lead guitar work on the epic outro, which is pure classic rock. Another track sure to resonate with a global listening audience, it's a sign of much more to come from THE GOLD NEEDLES in 2025... stay tuned!

Acclaimed British guitar pop heroes THE GOLD NEEDLES officially join the Big Stir Records roster with an all-new standalone single, “I Don't Know About That”. A clear harbinger of things to come from the Kingston-Upon-Hull band (and an instantly irresistible indie hit-to-be), it hits all streaming services November 1, accompanied by an Official Music Video to debut just before the street date. It's up for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/goldneedles-idkat

THE GOLD NEEDLES – Simon Dowson (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dave Burbage (lead and rhythm guitars), Mark English (keyboards, backing vocals), Carl Slaughter (bass guitar, harmony vocals) and Will Jones (drums) – were last heard from in full force on their third album, 2021's What's Tomorrow Ever Done For You? (hailed as “majestic” by Louder Than War and “a ray of musical sunshine” by Get Ready To Rock). The band has hardly been idle since then, gigging on the UK festival circuit and contributing covers of songs by their key influences to tribute collections. But the band's true genius is in how they take the best of all their legendary predecessors and synthesize it into something totally fresh... and that's exactly what they do on “I Don't Know About That”.

All the hallmarks of the Gold Needles sound are here: chugging guitars, block harmonies and an earworm chorus, making the track sure to click with global indie radio and delight their devoted fans. Lyrically acerbic, the tune delves into the misunderstandings that lie just below the surface of all too many relationships. “We can all relate to this human condition where one person's view doesn't always perfectly align with another's,” the band offers. “This isn't an 'anti-relationship' song, as it says in a reassuring way that we are probably meant to have our differences... that's the spark of love's fire!” The positive nature of the song's riffs and octave interplay hammers this point home very effectively on the musical level just as powerfully as the words do. It's the stuff of classic pop songwriting, and it's got all the hooks to stand with the classics of the genre.

“I Don't Know About That” is the perfect late-year taster for a new album by THE GOLD NEEDLES, their first as part of the celebrated Big Stir Records roster. It's all in keeping with the band’s mission to take the classic elements of '60s and '70s music and make it relatable in this multimedia. modern-day world. The single is the first step on the next leg of that journey, and BSR will be proud to bring you the rest of the trip as it unfolds.