Antony Szmierek has announced his second studio album ‘Decoding Birdsong’, alongside the release of a new single titled ‘Chalk’ and plans for a UK headline tour later this year.

The upcoming record marks the Manchester artist’s first full length release since his 2025 debut album ‘Service Station At The End Of The Universe’. ‘Decoding Birdsong’ is scheduled to arrive on August 21 through Mushroom Music and Virgin Music Group.

According to Szmierek, the album expands on his sound by blending personal storytelling with electronic textures, immersive production and his signature observational lyricism. The project will also introduce a more collaborative approach, featuring appearances from Pretty Girl, Los Bitchos, 1-800 GIRLS, Imogen And The Knife and Ellur.

The album will include the previously released single ‘The Heron’, while today, May 5, the artist has also shared the expansive new track ‘Chalk’.

The new song carries a nostalgic electronic sound and was inspired by snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan and the documentary ‘The Edge Of Everything’.

“It’s about the idea that chalking a cue makes a marginal difference to the outcome – a metaphor for chaos theory and the win-or-lose nature of the music industry,” Szmierek explained.

Speaking about the wider themes behind the album, Antony Szmierek said the project explores ideas surrounding belief, luck and finding meaning in coincidence.

“Making your own luck in the face of loneliness and doubt. The smallest things can feel seminal, seismic and life affirming if you just choose to lean in, but it also asks if this is a dangerous way to live,” he shared.

“What happens when your numbers come in? What are the consequences of luck? Should you listen to the birds, or are you only ever going to hear what you want to hear? To help us explore this: a heron, dice, a plummeting airplane, the late-night TV show ‘Aussie Gold Hunters’ and a fibreglass replica of Godzilla.”

Following festival appearances, headline shows and a performance on Later... with Jools Holland last year, Szmierek has now confirmed a new run of UK headline dates, including a major London show at O2 Forum Kentish Town.

The tour begins in Leeds this October before continuing through Nottingham, Cambridge, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Manchester, eventually wrapping up with a hometown performance at Manchester Apollo in November. That final show will feature special guest John Cooper Clarke.

Before the UK run begins, the Manchester artist is also scheduled for US and European shows later this month, support dates with The Streets and festival appearances including Big Feastival and Sziget Festival.

Antony Szmierek’s 2026 UK headline tour dates are:

OCTOBER
8 — O2 Academy Leeds, Leeds, UK
9 — The Level, Nottingham, UK
11 — Cambridge Junction, Cambridge, UK
12 — O2 Academy Oxford, Oxford, UK
14 — CHALK, Brighton, UK
15 — O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK
16 — O2 Academy Bournemouth, Bournemouth, UK
17 — O2 Academy Bristol, Bristol, UK
20 — Queen Margaret Union (QMU), Glasgow, UK
21 — Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
23 — Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK
28 — The Button Factory, Dublin, IE

NOVEMBER
21 — Manchester Apollo (with John Cooper Clarke), Manchester, UK

NME previously awarded ‘Service Station At The End Of The Universe’ four stars, describing the debut as the work of “a confident, authentic trailblazer who knows his craft inside out.”

Since releasing the album, Antony Szmierek has also appeared as part of Independent Venue Week 2026, performing earlier this year at Clwb Ifor Bach.