The debut LP from The Pale White was released in 2021, a time when the world was still grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic. In an industry where a debut not only represents a significant milestone but also a defining moment, it might have been tempting to stop there—similar to many working-class bands outside London who had to do just that. However, for this North East trio, there was never a choice to halt. In fact, even before concluding the ‘Infinite Pleasure’ tour, the band had already begun writing material that would eventually form the basis of their second album, set to be released four years later.
Their live performances showcased not only raucous hits like ‘Validate Me’ but also more intimate tracks that suggested two potential paths: the garage-rock featured in 2023’s ‘A New Breed’ EP and their upcoming second album, ‘The Big Sad’.
Bassist Dave Barrow credits the track ‘Lost In The Moment’ with steering them toward a new direction: “It hinted at a completely different vibe, and everything that followed embraced this new sound.” Moving away from the polished alt-rock style that The Pale White have explored since their inception, ‘The Big Sad’ presents an evolved form of self-expression that serves as both a progression and a revelation. Listening to a track like ‘January, Please’, it's hard to believe it’s the same artists.
“That’s exactly it—the rulebook went out the window,” frontman Adam Hope laughs. “That was the goal. Too often, you hesitate to take action because it conflicts with the image you have of yourself. You can confine yourself too much, and we needed to move beyond that.”
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Throughout their work, the band incorporates a diverse array of retro influences (such as Wings, The Smiths, and The Lemon Twigs), yet their most remarkable achievement is the impressive cohesion of their music—something that a post-COVID reset has actually gifted to The Pale White.
Adam elaborates: “When you’re caught in the singles game, it’s tough to maintain momentum. Having time to get ahead allows for greater coherence. That’s why many albums today, including our debut, don’t come together cohesively—it was refreshing to have the chance to categorize our work.”
“As a working class band, we rely on record deals as well. Album campaigns can feel impossible without some financial support. When it comes to money, we aren’t privileged. We’ve worked extraordinarily hard; many bands would have given up by now. Everyone I know has a backup plan, but you have to believe in yourself. The cream rises to the top. It might take time, and some people traverse longer journeys than others, but perseverance is essential, and eventually, it will happen—you need to trust that you’re living that reality.”
The essence of working-class creativity and the determination to succeed despite challenges comes to the forefront in ‘The Big Sad’—“these tired eyes fantasise the 9 to 5,” the title track acknowledges. This perspective is directly inspired by Adam and Jack’s father, Joe Hope, the “diamond in the rough” referenced in ‘There’s An Echo’. The song echoes his parental wisdom, “jump and the net will appear,” embodying their approach to their second full-length. Spanning 13 tracks, they create a mood that is both cohesive and hard to define—a bold transition for long-time listeners.
When discussing what fundamentally characterizes this output, Adam states: “I’m searching for a word that doesn’t exist, a blend of melancholy and nostalgia. Nostalgia, for me, is looking back with happiness, but often followed by a sudden gut punch. Think of any job you had where everything was great; after a shift, you’d go out with coworkers—then one person leaves and everything falls apart. Suddenly, the team is gone, and you run into that person years later as strangers. Those are happy memories tinged with sadness. That is ‘The Big Sad’.”
“The entire album represents resolution. It’s about enduring tough times and emerging on the other side, accepting who you are now. It’s about purging emotions. There’s a hidden track that states: ‘we have it all and more at the end of the wall’. In a band and in life, you’re always pursuing something, always wanting more. You have to inch toward that shiny goal with each step. We ended up coming back home and realizing we have everything we need. The album is fundamentally about returning home.”
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After years of striving together to carve their place among the UK’s most promising rock bands, returning to Wallsend in Newcastle and shaping their identity away from the allure of empty promises proved to be the wisest decision. “It’s almost the antithesis of ‘Infinite Pleasure’,” Jack explains. “You think you're at the pinnacle, but really, it’s just a circle.”
Much of the material draws heavily from personal experiences—embracing
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The Pale White released their debut LP in 2021, during a time when the world was still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. In an industry where a debut is more than just a significant event