The Belfast duo’s long-awaited third album arrives on January 29th 2027, with 18 tracks, a long list of collaborators, a second set of three singles and two new BICEP LIVE shows.
Bicep have announced their third studio album SLUG, out on Friday January 29th 2027 via Ninja Tune. It is their first album since 2021’s Isles.
The album is being revealed through three separate three-track single drops, each with its own three-part short film. The second drop is out today: ‘Gas’, featuring Lauren Duffus and SOARR, ‘Ultra’, featuring Eartheater and Saskia, and ‘Equarium’, featuring Kehina. It follows the first drop of ‘Air’, ‘Lemonder’ and ‘Viper’, which included Clark, Saskia and SOARR.
The films for this drop were directed by Alex Takács, also known as Young Replicant, and follow a gang of pigeon fanciers on a heist. The first drop’s videos, directed by Ryan Doubiago, followed two UK free party crews from set-up to sun-up. The third drop’s films will go into the world of demolition derbies.
About SLUG
The title comes from the contrast between the land slug most people picture and the colourful, intricate forms of their underwater counterparts. That idea of contrast runs through the record: clean drums are distorted, pristine vocals are pushed through analogue processing, and soft synths sit against rougher textures. The duo describe wanting “an album full of surprises and contrast”.
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After stepping away from touring, Bicep largely logged off and returned to their studio and archive, revisiting demos and techniques from 10 or 15 years ago. They built a custom vocal booth in a new studio and worked more collaboratively, sending ideas to collaborators and reshaping tracks in response. The 18 tracks move between rave, breakbeat, vocal-led material and ambient soundscapes.
Collaborators include Clark, Eartheater, George Riley, Lauren Duffus, SOARR, Saskia, Kehina, KUČKA, Sassy 009, Rowena Fysx, Julia Kent and Zosia Jagodzinska. The artwork is by creative director Viktor H.
SLUG tracklist
- ‘Gas’ (feat. Lauren Duffus & SOARR)
- ‘Air’ (feat. SOARR)
- ‘777’ (feat. Eartheater)
- ‘Lemonder’
- ‘Ultra’ (feat. Eartheater & Saskia)
- ‘Cielo’
- BICEP & Clark – ‘Edmeno’
- ‘Pole II’ (feat. Kehina)
- ‘Equarium’ (feat. Kehina)
- BICEP & Clark – ‘Viper’ (feat. Saskia)
- ‘Curb’ (feat. George Riley & KUČKA)
- ‘Horses’
- ‘Janus’ (feat. Sassy 009)
- ‘Lamb’ (feat. Rowena Fysx)
- ‘Honda’
- ‘Xy’
- ‘Rose’ (feat. Kehina)
- ‘Tides’ (feat. SOARR)
BICEP LIVE and tour dates
BICEP LIVE returns after a three-year hiatus with a sold-out show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on November 26th. Two new BICEP LIVE shows are announced for 2027, with presale on Thursday October 29th at 10am and general sale on Friday October 30th at 10am. You can register for presale at bicepmusic.com/live. There are no Irish dates announced yet.
- Saturday October 31st: Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (sold out).
- Sunday November 1st: The Underpass, Melbourne (sold out).
- Monday November 2nd: The Underpass, Melbourne.
- Thursday November 26th: Royal Albert Hall, London (sold out).
- Saturday March 20th 2027: Knockdown Center, New York.
- Sunday March 21st 2027: Estéreo Picnic, Bogotá.
- Wednesday April 7th 2027: Snowbombing, Mayrhofen.
- Friday June 4th 2027: Primavera Festival, Barcelona.
- Saturday July 31st 2027: Old Royal Naval College, London.
SLUG can be pre-saved here.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
