ANTONY SZMIEREK ASTOUNDS WITH SOPHOMORE ALBUM ‘DECODING BIRDSONG’

In a world full of uncertainty and tension, Szmierek brings to life his universal language of Birdsong through an incredible fusion of electronic music and poetry - providing light in dark times, that can most importantly be understood and enjoyed by all, no matter who you are.

As fans and friends of Antony since the very start of his career, we have seen Szmierek consistently prove the brilliance of his unique talent in rooms as small as 50 capacity venues in the back alleys of Manchester to thousands at the iconic Albert Hall. And to no surprise, with his latest record Decoding Birdsong, the Mancunian poet confirms their is no limit to his brilliance.

With some of the best production you are bound to hear this decade, Szmierek showcases the talent of his brilliantly creative friends throughout all 13 tracks of his album, including features from Imogen and The Knife, Ellur, Los Bitchos, Pretty Girl and 1-800 Girls.

The record itself speaks volumes around Szmierek’s career thus far - an understated masterclass of originality.

On stand-out track Flight Simulator featuring Imogen and the Knife, Szmierek embraces vulnerability and reminds us all that sometimes calm can be found within uncertainty. Imogen William’s influence on this track is one of the brights aspects of the record, with her hauntingly beautiful vocals partnering Antony perfectly - similar to that of two old friends reuniting.

“Decoding Birdsong is about choosing to believe in something. Coincidence as a religion. Making your own luck in the face of loneliness and doubt. The smallest things can feel seminal, seismic and life affirming if you just choose to lean in, but it also asks if this is a dangerous way to live. 

What happens when your numbers come in? What are the consequences of luck? Should you listen to the birds, or are you only ever going to hear what you want to hear? To help us explore this: a heron, dice, a plummeting airplane, the late-night TV show Aussie Gold Hunters and a fibreglass replica of Godzilla.” 

After the undoubted success of his debut Service Station At The End Of The Universe (2025), the bar was set unbelievably high for what was to come next, and yet he has delivered an incredible success whilst remaining true to himself and his craft.

Through live performances and listening to his work over the years, its almost impossible not to see and hear the soul of Maxi Jazz (Faithless) resurrected in the passion Antony has for his art. Both examples of how incredible this industry can be.

In the reprisal track The Same Heron Again, Max does indeed keep us dancing, bringing this entire record back to its cyclical heart - The Heron - before plunging us back into the deeper shores of the record through Commune and You’re Not Supposed To Do This Forever. Both two excellent examples of the diversity of Szmierek’s craft and ability to remain honest and open through his wonderful lyricism, in an age where hiding is the easiest option.

Catch Antony Szmierek live:

21/08 — Rock N Roll Circus (w/ The Streets), Norwich, UK
22/08 — Rough Trade East, London (in-store performance - tickets available here)
23/08 — Rough Trade, Bristol (in-store performance - tickets availablehere)
24/08 — Rough Trade, Nottingham (in-store performance - tickets available here)
25/08 — Jacaranda Baltic, Liverpool (in-store performance - tickets available here)
28/08 — Big Feastival, UK
01/09 — The Crown, Nantwich (Apple Stump Records performance - tickets available here)
02/09 — Night and Day, Manchester (Picadilly Records performance - tickets available here)
05/09 — Concerto Record Store, Amsterdam, NL (in-store performance - tickets available here)
07/09 — Music Mania, Ghent, BE (in-store performance - tickets available here)
09/09 — Rough Trade Berlin, Berlin, DE (in-store performance - tickets available here)
08/10 — O2 Academy Leeds, Leeds, UK
09/10 — The Level, Nottingham, UK
11/10 — Cambridge Junction, Cambridge, UK
12/10 — O2 Academy Oxford, Oxford, UK
14/10 — CHALK, Brighton, UK
15/10 — O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK
16/10 — O2 Academy Bournemouth, Bournemouth, UK
17/10 — O2 Academy Bristol, Bristol, UK
20/10 — Queen Margaret Union (QMU), Glasgow, UK
21/10 — Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
23/10 — Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK
28/10 — The Button Factory, Dublin, IE
21/11 — Manchester Apollo (w/ John Cooper Clarke), Manchester, UK

02/12 — Banquet, Kingston, UK (in-store performance - tickets availablehere)

02/12 — Fighting Cocks, Kingston, UK (Banquet Records performance - tickets availablehere)

02/12 — Bacchus, Kingston, UK (Banquet Records performance - tickets availablehere)