Willie J Healey has released his highly-anticipated new album ‘Bunny’ late August on YALA! Records. Featuring no less than four BBC 6 Music playlisted singles – โDreamsโ, โThank You (featuring Jamie T)โ, ‘Little Sister’ and ‘Woke Up Smiling’ – Bunny is a uniquely brilliant fusion of Philly soul, rock and R&B.
Watch an in the studio video for standout album track ‘Bluebird’ below.
Produced by Loren Humphrey (Florence + The Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey), Bunny takes its sonic cues from boundary breaking Fresh-era Sly and The Family Stone whilst fusing Willieโs love of Beck, Outkast and the more unusual influence of David Bowieโs relatively undiscovered The Gouster โ an album of the Thin White Duke at his funkiest. On the release of his new album, Willie says:
“Iโm very proud to finally be sharing Bunny with you all. I met the most amazing people while making the album in New York and Iโd like to thank them all for the magic they contributed. I hope everyone is able to find something in this album that makes them feel happy and seen. Lots of love, Willie.”
Reviews
“Iโve completely fallen in love with his music, itโs very bright, clever, excellent soul-y funk music with a keen sense of humourโฆ my new favourite artist” – Guy Garvey, BBC 6 Music
โI just love the sounds that Willie is coming out with, I think this is gonna blow a lot of people awayโ – Matt Wilkinson, Apple Music
โWJH is a completely brilliant singer songwriterโ – Greg James, BBC Radio 1
โThe word is starting to spread about our boy WJH, not gonna lie, we really love to see that.โ – Jack Saunders, BBC Radio 1
“Iโve always liked the way Willie has followed his own path away from the music scenes, he seems to have wandered through the past few years, oblivious to where the zeitgeist might be, and heโs done it again here.โโ Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music
“[Bunny] perfectly captures the essence of those mellow summer afternoons.”- Clash โ โ โ โ
โYour favourite songwriterโs favourite young songwriterโ โ DIY โ โ โ โ
โA record to stick on, and bliss out to. Willieโs never had more style.โ – Dork โ โ โ โ
โItโs a thing of wonderโ โ Hot Press โ โ โ โ
“a woozy and playful marriage of guitar and funk music.” – The Independent
โHeโs hurtling toward Next Big Thing statusโ – Mojo โ โ โ โ
โNew album, Bunny, represents a great leap forward, with elements of 70s funk newly added to his earlier George Harrison stylings.โ โ The Observer One To Watch
“The hype is justified on new album Bunny, a record that keeps the essence of his laid-back, slacker songwriting while inviting in new elements of R&B and pop and expanding his world.” – Rolling Stone UK
โthis collection suggests he could well be a contenderโ โ Scottish Daily Expressโ โ โ โ
Buy / stream Bunny here.
Alex Turner, Joe Talbot of IDLES, Jamie T, Florence Welch and Orlando Weeks are among those who have hailed Willie J Healey as a unique talent. Having completed a run of support dates with Florence + The Machine this past January, opened as special guest this spring to Jamie T at his Finsbury Park show, and toured throughout Europe with Arctic Monkeys this summer, Willie has a big 2023 headline UK tour beginning this November which includes his biggest London show to date at Brixtonโs iconic Electric venue.
Before the full band headline UK tour dates commence, Willie will be performing in a unique stripped back setting during week of release as part of his instore dates.
Willie J Healey Acoustic Instore Tour 2023
Fri 25 Aug – Rough Trade East, London, UK – SOLD OUT
Sat 26 Aug – Sound Knowledge, Marlborough, UK (Matinee show)
Sat 26 Aug – Rough Trade, Bristol, UK
Sun 27 Aug – Resident, Brighton, UK
Mon 28 Aug – Banquet, Kingston, UK – SOLD OUT
Mon 28 Aug – Banquet, Kingston, UK (Late show)
Tue 29 Aug – Rough Trade, Nottingham, UK
Wed 30 Aug – Jacaranda, Liverpool, UK
Thu 31 Aug – Truck, Oxford, UK
November 2023 UK / IE Headline Tour Dates
Thu 9thย Nov Chalk, Brighton
Fri 10thย Nov O2 Academy, Oxford
Sat 11thย Nov Hangar 34, Liverpool
Sun 12thย Nov Whelanโs, Dublin
Tue 14thย Nov Brudenell Social Club, Leedsย
Wed 15thย Nov The Cluny, Newcastle
Thu 16thย Nov St Lukes, Glasgow
Fri 17thย Nov The Mash House, Edinburghย
Sat 18thย Nov Band On The Wall, Manchesterย
Mon 20thย Nov Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
Tue 21stย Nov Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
Wed 22ndย Nov SWX, Bristol
Thu 23rdย Nov Electric Brixton, London
