The XCERTS release sixth studio album "i think i want to go home now."

The XCERTS, the enduring alternative rock trio formed in Aberdeen and now based in Brighton, have now released their sixth studio album, i think i want to go home now. The album is released via FLG Records and marks both a creative and personal milestone, shaped by significant life events and a return to the band’s original sound.

Return to collective creation and authenticity

For the first time since the band’s early days, Murray Macleod (vocals, guitar), Jordan Smith (bass), and Tom Heron (drums) once again wrote the music together, side by side in the studio. Under the guidance of producer Larry Hibbitt at Beehive Studios, they embraced collective creativity in a way not seen since their formative albums. The result is an eleven-track work imbued with both intensity and authenticity.

The creation of i think i want to go home now. took place during a period of intense personal trials. For two years, the band grappled with grief after Smith lost his mother and Macleod’s father was diagnosed with cancer. These experiences give the album a powerful emotional charge that echoes their heavy 2009 debut—also colored by personal sorrow. Macleod has described the result as “the purest Xcerts album” since the start—an album where the band has dared to delve into their distinctive expression and laid everything bare in each song.

Musically, the album marks a step away from the more polished, pop-oriented elements of their previous release Learning How to Live and Let Go (2023). Instead, The XCERTS return to the raw, dynamic sound that defined early albums like In The Cold Wind We Smile, Scatterbrain and There Is Only You, while retaining the melodic qualities they have refined over the years.

The album offers several strong tracks, from the hectic self-reflection of “do it to myself” and the powerful anger of “pretty ugly,” to the complex feeling in “bury you” and the poignant conclusion in “in your eyes.” Among the highlights is also “sinking feeling,” which has received its own video.

Since their start in 2001, The XCERTS have had the same lineup. This unbroken unity makes them unique on the UK alternative scene and also shapes the strength of their latest work. The band members’ genuine connection and long history together permeate the album and make it an emotionally charged addition to their catalogue.

To celebrate the launch, The XCERTS embark on a series of instore performances across the UK in July. They will also play the full album at the 2000 Trees Festival and will join Twin Atlantic on tour in October. These performances offer both new and long-time fans the chance to experience the band’s new energy and share in their latest music together.

With i think i want to go home now. The XCERTS have created an album that both honors their rich history and simultaneously advances their artistry. The album is a testament to lasting friendship, creative endurance, and the unvarnished honesty that defines the band’s sound.