The Molotovs have announced their second album, Welcome To Urbia, due on 9 April 2027 via Marshall Records. The first single, Urbia, is out today, with limited edition CDs and cassettes available on pre-order.
The news comes just six months after London siblings Matt (18) and Issey (20) Cartlidge sent debut album Wasted On Youth to No.3 in the UK charts, after a battle with Lily Allen and Olivia Dean. In the space of a year the pair have gone from busking to chart success, a slot on The Jonathan Ross Show, and an arena run on Yungblud’s UK tour.
Urbia opens what the band are calling the second phase of The Molotovs. It was recorded at Konk Studios in north London, the studio founded by The Kinks, and produced by Tony Hoffer, whose credits include Beck, The Kooks, M83 and Belle and Sebastian.
Matt said: “When I wrote it, it just immediately felt like something different and was steering in the direction that I wanted to go for this next album. I really wanted to shake it up.
“My influences have also broadened, the more we played. When we went into the studio, I’d only recently written it so it was all pretty fresh – it’s got a real energy.”
The track is built around a huge chorus, with Matt and Issey’s vocals locking together. Issey said: “It really blossoms. It’s quite moody and driving, quite industrial, and then you get to the chorus that kind of opens up. It’s sweet.”
The song is a statement of intent, inspired by the towns the duo have passed through on a relentless live circuit of nearly 700 shows in the last five years. Fans who caught last year’s sold out Electric Ballroom headline set will already know the title, as Urbia was in the set long before this official release.
The announcement lands as the Welcome To Urbia headline tour is underway, with most dates already gone. Last tickets remain for Glasgow and Leeds, plus a second night at London’s O2 Forum in Kentish Town, added after the first show sold out. After this run, the pair will support Razorlight, including a date at OVO Arena Wembley on 4 December.
Vinyl, CD and streaming pre-orders are live now, and remaining tour tickets are available here. More information is on The Molotovs’ official site.
The Molotovs UK tour dates:
- Thu 03 Sept 2026, Tramshed, Cardiff (sold out)
- Fri 04 Sept 2026, Palais, Nottingham (sold out)
- Sat 05 Sept 2026, Chalk, Brighton (sold out)
- Thu 10 Sept 2026, TV Studio, Glasgow (last few tickets)
- Fri 11 Sept 2026, Digital, Newcastle (sold out)
- Sat 12 Sept 2026, Foundry, Sheffield (sold out)
- Thu 17 Sept 2026, Beckett SU, Leeds (last few tickets)
- Fri 18 Sept 2026, Arts Club, Liverpool (sold out)
- Sat 19 Sept 2026, Academy 2, Manchester (sold out)
- Thu 24 Sept 2026, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham (sold out)
- Fri 25 Sept 2026, O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London (sold out)
- Sat 26 Sept 2026, O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London (last few tickets)
- Fri 02 Oct 2026, Limelight 2, Belfast (sold out)
- Sat 03 Oct 2026, The Button Factory, Dublin (sold out)
Image credits: Oliver Bromidge
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