by Ben Hogwood, adapted from the press release

The North Sea Radio Orchestra have announced a new album, Special Powers, to be released on Believer’s Roast on 30 May 2025. This is prefaced by a new single, All Alice Lake, described as “Craig’s attempt at a country waltz (perhaps the most ‘straight-ahead’ song he’s ever written), with string countermelodies and Chantelle’s voice to the fore.”

Summarising their career to date, the press release tells the story of how, “Way back in 2002 North Sea Radio Orchestra (NSRO) began rehearsing and performing in old churches, secreted away in the heart of the City Of London. At first their audience had to explore the lost alleys and lanes of old Londinium to hear their sounds. NSRO then moved out into the world at large; performing in venues diverse – from churches to clubs to Freakzone sessions to festivals, opera houses, libraries etc etc. NSRO are very much a part of the ‘Cardiacs Family’ of bands and musicians; having personal and stylistic ties (harmonically and melodically) to Cardiacs and the music of the late Tim Smith generally; other bands in the ‘scene’ include Gong (and Kavus Torabi), Lost Crowns, William D Drake, Spratleys, Crayola Lectern etc.”

Special Powers is their fifth studio album and as ever, all material is written and produced by band leader Craig Fortnam.

Published post no.2,537 – Monday 19 May 2025