Liverpool-based four-piece Courting is back with the first glimpse of their upcoming sophomore album, 'New Last Name.' Despite the band admitting that 'New Last Name' isn't exactly a play, the album took shape as one, weaving together a narrative thread that ties their most contained pop songs and strangest experiments side by side.

'New Last Name' is a paradoxical masterpiece—unrestrained and chaotic, yet more focused and detail-oriented than any of Courting's previous work. It embodies a study in contradictions, offering a unique and captivating experience that stands as the best damn play south of the north pole.

Filled with nuance and pop culture references, the only consistent element is Courting's irrepressible sense of abandon. Vocalist Sean Murphy-O’Neill explains, “We’d spent our last album campaign giving ourselves a fresh slate... On ‘New Last Name,’ we’re moving past that, we just want to make something really special.” This album is their true introduction, confidently stating, “It’s all hits.”

The results are as thrilling as they are rewarding. From the funk-pop guitars in ‘We Look Good Together’ to the baroque strings in ‘Flex,’ or even the country-tinged stylings of ‘Babys,’ describing ‘New Last Name’ as adventurous would be an understatement.