Big Big Train have today released their new video and single titled ‘The Sharpest Blade’, from their upcoming album ‘Woodcut’, dropping February 6th via InsideOutMusic. Musically steeped in classic lore, ‘The Sharpest Blade’ melds timeless sound with modern tinge with beautifully crafted vocals, all combining to form a bridge from old school indie to new musical direction.
While this is clearly a modern indie track, the prog and classic music influences take new form and flight with poetic storied lyrics in such a way that it becomes as endearing as it does relevant.
While the video gives a film score quality to everything, it mostly defines the underlying meaning of ‘The Sharpest Blade’ and acts as a companion piece to add a punch to the prologue.
About Big Big Train & ‘Woodcut’
Woodcut is a landmark release for the group, whose line-up draws together members from England, Scotland, Italy, the USA, Sweden and Norway, in that it marks their first ever full-length conceptual piece – quite a statement given the musical depth and storytelling qualities of a band formed in Bournemouth way back in 1990. Woodcut is a continuous narrative exploring creativity, sacrifice and the thin line between inspiration and madness and featuring a character called The Artist.
Today they launch a second single from the album, titled “The Sharpest Blade,” a track that sees violinist Clare Lindley sharing lead vocals with the band’s frontman, and ‘Woodcut’ producer, Alberto Bravin.
Lindley, who also wrote the lyrics for ‘The Sharpest Blade’, explains: “Having gone for a walk in the woods and happened upon an amazing piece of heartwood, lit by a natural beam of sunlight, the Artist has taken it home. In the song ‘The Sharpest Blade’, he begins to carve the heartwood. Although he still has doubts and dark inner thoughts, he finds himself carving a wonderful scene. It’s so good that he feels it is perhaps not of his own hand…”
Woodcut feels like a Big Big Train record quite unlike any that came before—an assured union of music, storytelling and visual invention. The album is graced with a striking cover design from Dorset (England) based artist Robin Mackenzie – a black and white woodcut print, of course, derived from a woodcut which the band commissioned from him specifically for the album.
Available as a Limited CD + Blu-ray edition, including extensive liner notes as well as Dolby Atmos & 5.1 Surround Sound mixes by Shawn Dealey of Sweetwater Studios, the album will also be available as a stunning Gatefold 180g 2LP with special embossed cover, Standard CD Jewelcase & Digitally in both Stereo and Dolby Atmos versions.
Featuring 16 tracks across 66-minutes of runtime, Woodcut feels epic without outstaying its welcome. From the intimacy of ‘Inkwell Black’ to the grandeur of ‘Counting Stars’, Woodcut is a defiant analogue statement in a digital age—a handcrafted, deeply human exploration of art, faith and endurance.
‘Woodcut’ Tracklist
- Inkwell Black
- The Artist
- The Lie of the Land
- The Sharpest Blade
- Albion Press
- Arcadia
- Second Press
- Warp and Weft
- Chimaera
- Dead Point
- Light Without Heat
- Dreams in Black and White
- Cut and Run
- Hawthorn White
- Counting Stars
- Last Stand
Additionally the band have just announced a UK/European headline tour for September/October 2026, including their biggest headline show to date at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Find the full list of dates below:
Featured image by Cécile Lopes.
LINKS:
https://www.bigbigtrain.com
https://www.facebook.com/bigbigtrain/
https://www.instagram.com/bigbigtrain
