Photo: Parri Thomas

Penelope Isles unfurl their uncertainty on the daydreaming treat “Iced Gems”, announce new album

Penelope Isles – the Brighton-based band centred around the nucleus of siblings Jack and Lily Wolter – have announced their second album: it’s called Which Way To Happy and comes out on November 5 through Bella Union.

The title Which Way To Happy is a nice primer for the mood of new single “Iced Gems”, which may be named after a favourite tooth-rotting treat that British kids will remember from their youth, but finds Lily at a crossroads in her adult life. It’s as if she’s looking back on simpler times, and contrasting it with the current multitude of stresses of being a functioning adult. As we hear her wrestle her desires, Penelope Isles furnish her thoughts with their most textured and detailed arrangements yet. Percolating beats, a silken synth undertone, quietly sparkling electronic melodies, tinkling bells, what sound like pig snorts, and so much more add to the feeling that we’re riding along with Lily in her mind, watching things move outside the window, while her own worries continue to churn inside.

Penelope Isles’ new album Which Way To Happy comes out on November 5 through Bella Union (pre-order/save). You can find the band on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also see them at these dates:

Thursday 2nd September – Larmer Tree Gardens – End Of The Road
Friday 5th November – Brighton – Resident Records (instore)
Saturday 6th November – London – Rough Trade East (instore)
Monday 8th November – Totnes – Drift Records (instore)
Tuesday 23rd November – Tunbridge Wells – Tunbridge Wells Forum *
Wednesday 24th November – Bristol – Exchange *
Thursday 25th November – Cambridge – Portland Arms *
Friday 26th November – Manchester – Gullivers *
Saturday 27th November – Chester – St. Marys *
Sunday 28th November – Northampton – The Black Prince
Tuesday 30th November – Guildford – The Boileroom *
Wednesday 1st December – London – Oslo **
Thursday 2nd December – St. Albans – The Horn
Friday 3rd December – Ipswich – The Smokehouse **
Saturday 4th December – York – Fulford Arms **
Sunday 5th December – Blackpool – Central Library **
Tuesday 7th December – Glasgow – Hug & Pint **
Wednesday 8th December – Newcastle – Cluny 2 **
Thursday 9th December – Birmingham – Hare & Hounds **
Friday 10th December – Brighton – Concorde 2

* Holiday Ghosts supporting

** Laundromat supporting