The Academic have shared a new single, ‘Pushing Up Daisies’, and announced their second album, ‘Sitting Pretty’

Irish indie-poppers The Academic have announced their second album, ‘Sitting Pretty’, with the brand new single, ‘Pushing Up Daisies’.

The new single is the band’s second release of 2022, following August’s ‘Don't Take It Personally’, which also features on the upcoming record. ‘Sitting Pretty’ was produced by ex-Kaiser Chief Nick Hodgson (Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson) and marks the quartet’s major label debut, following up their 2018’s debut, ‘Tales From The Backseat’. It is set to arrive on February 10th 2023 via EMI.

Since then, The Academic have continued to evolve the simple charm of their indie hooks through a gradually refined songwriting approach - the most recent example of this is last year’s ‘Community Spirit’ EP, which Dork’s 3-star review said offers “their usual strong melodies and distinguished delivery, but backed up by a more mature soundscape swarmed with warm and joyful fibres”.

On their new single, they explain: “'Pushing Up Daisies' is our ode to insecurity and ego in equal measure. It tackles the hectic nature of our current circumstances. The ecstatic highs and the unbearable lows of life in your twenties.”

“‘Sitting Pretty’ is about the entrance into true adulthood and how that can alienate you from yourself, making you feel like you’re playing a supporting role in your own life,” the band say on the new album. “In one moment feeling 100% certain about everything, only to become overwhelmed with feelings of aimlessness and lack of direction in the next.”

You can listen to ‘Pushing Up Daisies’ here.

You can pre-order ‘Sitting Pretty’ here - the full tracklist reads as below:

1. Pushing Up Daisies
2. Don’t Take It Personally
3. What’s Wrong With Me
4. My Very Best
5. This Is Your Life
6. Homesick
7. Heartbreak’s Where It’s At
8. Do What You Want
9. Step My Way
10. Let Go Of My Heart
11. Right Where You Left Me
12. Rain
13. Buying Smokes

The Academic have also confirmed a new slate of UK shows for early next year, including a stop at London’s Shepherd Bush Empire. Pre-order ‘Sitting Pretty’ for access to the upcoming pre-sale, which opens next Tuesday, November 1st, at 9am BST.