June 1, 2026
Deep Sea Camels Releases Uncompromising New Album “So It Begins”
The album marks a confident and ambitious evolution from the group’s indie rock roots, delivering pointed lyrical observations set to exuberant, eclectic and always unapologetically hook-driven music
Deep Sea Camels have announced the release of their third studio album entitled, “So It Begins”, arriving everywhere June 27th, 2026. The album features the four singles Same Rules Apply, Exit Wound, Now I Think Maybe You Know and Rock City Nights, along with six new previously unreleased tracks.
So It Begins picks up where their second album This Is Where We Are Now left off, with hooky well-constructed songs, a big punchy sound, and cutting narrative lyrics. At times defiant, mournful, irreverent and incredulous, the album’s commentary on modern life runs the gamut of emotions while, musically, the incorporation of brass and keyboards adds a new dimension to the group’s guitar-centered core. "We’ve poured our hearts into these tracks, and we’re excited to share them.” said front man Mike Dobson.
Deep Sea Camels are known for their ballsy, punchy, and big sound, and this album is no exception. Lead-off single “Same Rules Apply” sets an exuberant and defiant tone propelled by a driving bass, surfy guitars, soaring keyboards and an infectious ear wormy chorus. The song is a sharp-edged indictment of a world where the ultra-rich gorge themselves on privilege while insisting everyone else tighten their belts and follow the rules they themselves ignore. As the moody outro builds in tempo, Dobson issues a stark warning “when you stand on another man’s throat you’d better do so with all of your might”, before the song takes off into a soaring keyboard solo reminiscent of The Stranglers’ Dave Greenfield.
“Hush” continues the driving pace with a pointed critique of affluent suburban life and its superficial and showy materialism - all set to driving indie rock guitars. “It’s really a commentary on the social pressure to demonstrate achievement, and the sadness and loneliness that often sits just below the surface”, said guitarist Steve Hurst.
In “Guilt and Virtue”, the band up the emotional ante with this challenge to conformity, power and social malaise. A poignant keyboard melody anchors the song, providing a shift in tempo and demonstrating the band’s evolution beyond its indie rock roots. "This is where dynamics do the heavy lifting," says Dobson. "The space between the notes. The breath before the chorus. That's where the real meaning lives."
“Really Mr K?” see the Camels enjoying a whimsical detour with an instrumental track that oozes 90s club vibes. Guitarist Iain Howe confessed “the bass line that anchors that track was something we came up with decades ago, it’s just taken us a while to get it over the line”.
“Exit Wound” closes side one (yes, there will be a vinyl release!) with a barnstorming tour de force of a song culminating in a climactic appeal for greater humanity in the world. "That's what music can do that speech can't," says Dobson, "it takes you on the journey of an emotion, not just the label for it." Like many of the Camel’s songs, Exit Wound is both familiar and new. There’s an unapologetic nod to 90s alternative rock and yet the song maintains its contemporary edge. “There’s music from across the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s that we love and so, of course, elements of that show up in our songs. But we’re not nostalgic about it. We want to channel those influences into something new.”, said guitarist Steve Hurst.
Side two kicks off with “Rock City Nights”, a stripped back and punky celebration of the concert scene at this local venue. “We love Rock City. It’s a great place to see bands, and it’s really where we had the epiphany that we wanted to be in a band ourselves, so it was just fun to write a song commemorating that.”, said guitarist Iain Howe.
“An Ordinary Life” sees the Camels teaming up again with Fiona Carter on vocals, who kicks off the song with a plaintive appeal - “how many good men will it take?” - before the band launches into a rowdy tale of rebellion, love and loss. With its traditional story telling themes, there’s some country-adjacent touches and some fine work on the strings by guest musician Pete Whitfield. “There was a time when the idea of adding a bit of slide guitar to one of our songs would have been unthinkable. As Morrisey said in Shakespeare Sister, “I can laugh about it now but at the time it was terrible”. So we got over ourselves and did what was right for the song”, said Steve.
“Now I Think Maybe You Know” tells a cautionary tale of bad decisions, misplaced priorities, and the clarity that comes in hindsight. The track weaves between indie-pop immediacy and classic rock attitude, without falling fully into either camp. It’s got that knowingly off-centre charm. “We want to keep challenging ourselves creatively while also writing songs that matter,” says frontman Mike Dobson. “We’ve been around awhile, so there’s no shortage of lived experience to draw upon.”
“Blast Radius” offers another change of pace with its dreamy guitar melody wafting over a tight drum and bass backline. Front man Mike Dobson returns to familiar themes of institutional power and resistance with the chorus culminating in the prophetic line: “the first thin columns of dissent will rise”. It’s a message of hope against a backdrop of frustration and anger. Blast Radius sees keyboardist Stephen Wigmore shining once more with a melodic and strident organ solo. “It’s my first outing with the band and I’m really enjoying how we’re incorporating the keys into the song writing”, said Wigmore.
“Needle In” closes the album in eclectic and anthemic style with a philosophical commentary on the state of human exceptionalism, or maybe it’s just a quirky foot-tapping indie rock song? “all we see are new horizons”, muses Dobson, before adding “I’d shake your hand but we’re contagious” Needle In sees guitarists Howe and Hurst moving seamlessly from gentle arpeggios to dystopian solos and back to jazzy funk elements, and yet somehow it all hangs together as we are spirited into oblivion still tapping our feet.
Each track is meticulously crafted, reflecting the band’s commitment to delivering quality music that stands the test of time. The incorporation of brass, strings and keyboards marks a confident evolution from their guitar-centric core, enhancing the band’s already dynamic style, delivering a rich and layered listening experience while remaining true to their indie rock roots.
"Our goal was to create an album that feels both familiar and yet fresh and relevant today," said guitarist Iain Howe. "We wanted to channel the essence and energy of classic and indie rock while infusing it with our own unique sound and modern influences."
“So It Begins” sees the group's core members - Mike Dobson (bass, vocals), Iain Howe (rhythm guitar) and Steve Hurst (lead guitar) joined by veteran multi-instrumentalist Stephen Wigmore on keyboards. They continue their creative collaboration with solo recording artist Fiona Carter (vocals) and session drummer Justin Meyers. For engineering and production - and general sonic wizardry – the band turned to Gareth Metcalf at Studio Nyne (Notts, UK). “We’re thrilled to work with such a talented group of people!”, said Steve.
This new album marks a significant milestone for the band, particularly for the three core members—Mike, Steve, and Iain—who are old school friends and bandmates reuniting to reignite the passion they once had for crafting hooky, well-constructed songs with strong narrative lyrics. "This album is a celebration of our musical journey and the timeless bond we share," said Mike. "We’ve challenged ourselves and pushed the boundaries a little more on this album. We think our fans, old and new, are going to really enjoy it!."
BIO
Deep Sea Camels are an independent rock band celebrated for blending contemporary indie textures with the grit, colour, and storytelling power of classic rock. Their songs are known for being bold, atmospheric, and unflinching — never shying away from the darker corners of politics, relationships, or modern life.
Whether they’re firing shots at corruption, unpacking emotional fallout, or digging into the absurdities of the human condition, Deep Sea Camels invite listeners on a journey through decades of sonic influence and lyrical candour.
Stay deep.