{"title":"Courting","description":"\u003cp\u003e[a=Courting] are an English post punk band formed in Liverpool in 2018.\r\n[b]Vocals[\/b] [a=Sean Murphy O'Neill], [b]Guitar[\/b]: [a=Michael Downes (3)]; [b]Bass[\/b]: [a=Sam Brennan (2)]; [b]Drums[\/b]: [a=Sean Thomas (16)]\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"new-last-name","title":"New Last Name","description":"\u003cp\u003eLiverpool-based four piece; Courting return with their sophomore album, \u003ci\u003eNew Last Name\u003c\/i\u003e via Lower Third. The new album came together as a play, even though the band admits that \u003ci\u003eNew Last Name\u003c\/i\u003e isn’t really a play...   Whilst it IS tied together by a narrative thread – it’s actually a collection of their most contained pop songs, and strangest experiments sat side by side. \u003ci\u003eNew Last Name\u003c\/i\u003e is unrestrained and chaotic, and at the same time more focused and detail-oriented than anything Courting have done before. It’s a study in contradictions, and it’s the best damn play south of the north pole. Brimming with nuance and pop culture references, the only constant is that the Liverpool gang maintains their irrepressible sense of abandon.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lower Third","offers":[{"title":"White LP","offer_id":50401336918347,"sku":"2166390","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50401335968075,"sku":"2166389","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/5400863152444_f74cc3f1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726521213"},{"product_id":"guitar-music","title":"Guitar Music","description":"\u003cp\u003eLiverpool four-piece Courting return with their much anticipated debut album \u003ci\u003eGuitar Music.\u003c\/i\u003e The new album comes on the heels of Courting’s 2021 debut EP ‘Grand National’, which saw them earn plaudits across a wide array of media for their boisterous whip smart lyrics and angular instrumentation. The release saw them land two singles on the BBC Radio 6 Playlist (including an A-list) as well as coverage in multiple end of year lists incl. NME 100, Dork Hype List 2022, Daily Star Ones to Watch 2021, DIY Hello 2021 and more... \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhilst the album follows closely on the back of the EP, the new material sees the band making a marked step in a new direction, exploring more dynamically expressive songwriting than ever before. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Play It Again Sam","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50416402661707,"sku":"1155979","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50416403513675,"sku":"1155978","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c559787d-82dd-4f23-bdc5-9bd3d20244b4_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1726702905"},{"product_id":"lust-for-life-or-how-to-thread-the-needle-and-come-out-the-other-side-to-tell-the-story","title":"Lust for Life, Or: How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story","description":"\u003cp\u003eCourting are back with their third album \u003ci\u003eLust for Life, Or: 'How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story\u003c\/i\u003e, less than a year after the release of their sophomore album \u003ci\u003eNew\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eLast Name\u003c\/i\u003e. Courting return with a leaner, sharper sound, while solidifying their mischievous genre-blending reputation with eight meticulously crafted tracks that balance an infectious pop sensibility with intense, playful experimentation.  After exploring the grand theatrical style of \u003ci\u003eNew Last Name\u003c\/i\u003e, this new album marks a shift toward a stripped-back, direct approach. “We wanted to keep everything incredibly direct - to hit everyone in the face and leave,” explains vocalist Sean Murphy-O’Neill. Yet despite its immediacy, the album retains the band’s characteristic wit, loaded with hidden references, in-jokes, and musical Easter eggs that reflect a true blend of fun and sophistication. \u003ci\u003eLust for Life, Or: 'How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story\u003c\/i\u003e, is centred around duality. The intention is to bring together everything Courting have created thus far into a succinct, direct, record.   Each song on the album is 'twinned', with another, existing within the same type of world. Take for example the opening and closing bookends of the record, both featuring the same string melody but with the first serving as an orchestral introduction, and the second as a speeding dance punk track. Tracks 2 and tracks 8 interpolate the same drum and string samples but shift them into completely different beasts. The first sitting somewhere between 2010's dubstep and a noise band covering a small faces track, and the latter being a multi part, auto-tune crooning ballad with a striking saxophone solo.   The aim is clear as Courting balance the indie and pop songwriting of their previous records with their most experimental moments, each detail more refined than the last time.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lower Third","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50857315139915,"sku":"2233198","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50857314943307,"sku":"2233181","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/LFL_Album_artwork_b48bf57e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1731950938"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_c37ad481_thumbnail_4096_e07548cf-f6b6-4e17-bc76-1fe088e0743e.jpg?v=1726521179","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/courting.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}