Music meteorology: predicting the next wave of megahits and earworms with the tracks they’re teasing and releasing now.
For Szmierek, the pyramid isn’t just a quirky landmark; it’s a symbol of human resilience.
Words: Dan Harrison.
In Stockport, there lies a curious modern relic: a blue pyramid, originally meant to be the heart of a grand shopping complex, now stranded like an artefact of unrealised ambition. For most people, it’s a piece of motorway oddity, but for Antony Szmierek, it’s the perfect muse. ‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport’, his latest single, takes this strange structure as a symbol of human creativity – or at least, our attempts at it. Szmierek’s knack for transforming the mundane into the extraordinary is in full force here, and in doing so, he’s brought to life something both genuinely funny and oddly moving.
Szmierek has come a long way from his days as a classroom teacher. “I spend a lot of my time abroad thinking, ‘This is so great that this is my job; I could so easily still be in a hot classroom teaching Year 9 right now’,” he told us last July. Indeed, his journey from schoolteacher to festival favourite is a testament to just how quickly life can turn.
‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport’ serves as the lead single from Szmierek’s forthcoming debut album, ‘Service Station At The End Of The Universe’, and in many ways, it’s the perfect introduction to his sound. The track’s energetic beats, buoyed by Szmierek’s charismatic delivery, capture the essence of his storytelling-sharp, witty, and brimming with Northern charm. He has a way of blurring the line between the everyday and the mythic, and nowhere is that more evident than in this new single. “Nobody really knows what the pyramids in Giza are for,” he muses. “What we do know is that we’re not here long, and that the impossible is more possible than we think it is.”
For Szmierek, the pyramid isn’t just a quirky landmark; it’s a symbol of human resilience – a blue monolith that reminds us of the ridiculous and wonderful ways in which we strive for meaning. It’s that juxtaposition of the grand and the mundane that lies at the heart of the song, and Szmierek masterfully balances the two.
Szmierek’s music has always thrived on this blend of wit and warmth. His background in spoken word and poetry gives his lyrics a narrative quality that stands out against the pounding beats that define the track. It’s a rare mix that lets Szmierek dance between club-ready energy and reflective lyricism. “I’m writing a lot about people and the little things we do in order to make things bearable and meaningful,” he explains. With ‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport’, he’s made a song that is at once deeply personal and wildly relatable – a track that takes a slice of northern life and turns it into something mythic.
The track is co-produced by Szmierek along with his long-time collaborators Robin Parker, Max Rad, Louie Fulford-Smith, and Yves Jones. Together, they create a sonic landscape that matches Szmierek’s storytelling-propulsive and playful, but with a depth that encourages repeat listens. The collaboration is a testament to the tight-knit creative community Szmierek has built around him, a community that’s integral to his evolving sound. “I think I figured out the sound there, or what this project should be. It’s optimism bottled, but there should be a healthy dose of melancholy, and you should be able to dance to it,” he explained to Dork when discussing his recent EP, ‘Seasoning’. That balance of joy and introspection is at the core of everything he does, ‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport’ included.
Szmierek’s live shows have become an extension of this storytelling ethos. Whether he’s performing in a sweaty club or on a festival stage, he brings the same level of intimacy and humour to his performances. “The live show is always front and centre when I’m writing a song, and I never really want to include anything in a recorded song that I couldn’t do live,” he said. With a headline UK and European tour announced for 2025, there’s much more to come.
‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport’ feels like a distillation of everything that makes Antony Szmierek such an engaging artist-his sharp eye for detail, his appreciation for the beauty in the mundane, and his ability to turn a quirky local landmark into something that speaks to us all. It’s storytelling that’s relatable without being reductive and humorous without being cynical. Szmierek isn’t dreaming of exotic escapes. Instead, he’s celebrating what’s right in front of us, turning Stockport’s forgotten pyramid into a testament to human creativity, folly, and persistence.
As Szmierek gears up for the release of his debut album, there’s a sense that he’s on the edge of something big. ‘Service Station At The End Of The Universe’ promises to build on everything that’s come before – a culmination of his dancefloor-ready beats, poetic lyricism, and knack for making the small things feel big. “It’s been such a mad process, but I’m really proud of what we’ve made; it feels like a level-up but also a logical conclusion to everything I started a few years ago,” he says. If ‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport’ is any indication, Tebay Services is about to have some serious competition in the nation’s heart.
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THE NEW BOPS AND BANGERS THEY’RE TEASING FOR IMMINENT RELEASE
JADE – Fantasy
Release date: 18th October 2024
Jade Thirlwall’s third solo offering, ‘Fantasy’, looks set to cast a spell that’s both nostalgic and modern. From Little Mix’s hiatus to now, Jade’s found her feet in a sound that’s pure, shimmering pop genius. Influences of disco legends hinted at via teasing social media glimpses suggest she’s channelling her dreamy, larger-than-life energy into a track that’s destined to stick. ‘Fantasy’ stands to prove that Jade’s not just dabbling in solo work – she’s creating her own brand of magic, and this time, it’s personal.
JENNIE – ‘MANTRA’
Release date: 11th October 2024
JENNIE is ready to rewrite the book of fun with ‘MANTRA’, her latest solo track that’s less meditative chant, more unapologetic declaration of independence. It’s a loud, sparkly exclamation mark on her journey since BLACKPINK, stepping into her own groove under her label ODD Atelier. ‘MANTRA’ is an ode to living for the moment, and JENNIE’s never been one to shy away from a bold statement. Expect it to be embraced as an anthem for anyone who just wants to let go.
Mabel – ‘Stupid Dumb’
Release date: Friday 11th October 2024
Mabel’s upcoming track ‘Stupid Dumb’, featuring Ty Dolla $ign, promises an easy blend of her classic catchy hooks with Ty’s smooth verses. Known for her effortless pop bops, Mabel’s been fine-tuning her sound since ‘About Last Night…’, and it seems she’s back to remind us why she belongs on British pop’s A-list.
The Kairos – ‘Punchline Fistfight’
Release date: Friday 11th October 2024
Indie upstarts The Kairos are back with ‘Punchline Fistfight’ – a song that promises to be as energetic and full of bite as its name suggests. It’s no surprise they’ve earned a reputation for their live shows, which burst with raw energy and unapologetic grit, and ‘Punchline Fistfight’ aims to capture that magic in recorded form. With the success of their festival circuit still ringing in their ears, The Kairos are throwing down a marker: they’re here, they’re loud, and they’ve got plenty to say.
Maggie Rogers – ‘The Living Room’
Release date: Tuesday 8th October 2024
Maggie Rogers’ ‘The Living Room’ feels like a place we’ve all been to – cosy, familiar, but buzzing with life. Coming off the back of her album ‘Don’t Forget Me’, Maggie’s recent work has embraced a breezier, more spontaneous vibe. It’s folky, it’s poppy, and above all, it’s comfortable. Rogers’ strength has always been her ability to invite listeners into her world; now, it looks like she’s inviting us even further into her mind palace of glittering delights.
Shygirl – ‘Immaculate’
Release date: Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Shygirl’s about to shake things up again with ‘Immaculate’ – a track that promises to live up to its name while breaking every rule in the process. Known for blending club beats with razor-sharp lyrics, Shygirl’s latest offering suggests a flirtation with themes of purity, delivered in her trademark sultry style. After collaborations with Arca, HRH Queen Charli XCX and Mura Masa, she’s now creating a niche that’s wholly her own – somewhere between the nightclub and the confessional booth. ‘Immaculate’ is bound to be a mix of the holy and the hedonistic, another step in Shygirl’s journey towards redefining what pop can be in her world – provocative, unexpected, and always pushing the boundaries.
