SYML—the solo project of singer, songwriter and producer Brian Fennell—has released his new single, “Chariot” today. Taken from his upcoming album, The Day My Father Died, out February 3rd, the track follows previously released singles, “Believer,” “Better Part of Me” featuring Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek, I’m With her), “Howling” featuring Lucius, “Lost Myself” featuring Elbow’s Guy Garvey, “You and I” featuring Charlotte Lawrence and “Sweet Home.” Pre-order the album now HERE and listen to “Chariot” below.
“Chariots are for royalty,” says Fennell. “They are golden and precious vessels reserved for people who deserve it. For this song though, I imagine my chariot to be a vessel of love and deliverance that carries me to a peaceful place. We recorded most of the album at Studio X in Seattle, which is an old church. A lot of the percussion and drum beat on this song were played on old church pews in the studio.”
Ahead of the new album, SYML performed four songs live on KEXP—watch/share the full session here.
Recorded and produced in Fennell’s hometown with fellow Seattle-native Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Father John Misty, Fleet Foxes), the new LP is his first album to feature a full band. In addition, SYML will feature on Lana Del Rey’s forthcoming Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard.
Furthermore, SYML will embark on an international tour this spring, headlining venues across Europe. The dates will bring him to Amsterdam, Milan, Barcelona, Paris, London and more. Ahead of the tour, SYML will be in the U.K. for a run of select in-store performances to celebrate the new album—see full details below.
The Day My Father Died finds Fennell telling a story of interpersonal connection and chosen kinship following the death of his adoptive father in 2021. More a document of growth and healing than of loss, the album charts Fennell’s journey to figure out how to move forward after a fundamental and intractable shift in his life.
“The ever-expanding universe will always frighten and delight me, but the truly unbelievable shit happens down here at our human level,” Fennell says. “Losing my dad felt like running out of air. I still feel it in my gut. But this record is not about losing him, it’s about what happens after we have lost.”
SYML LIVE
IN-STORE PERFORMANCES
February 2—London, U.K.—Rough Trade East
February 3—Kingston, U.K.—Banquet Records
February 4—Liverpool, U.K.—Jacaranda
February 5—Edinburgh, U.K.—Assai
TOUR DATES
March 9—Amsterdam, Netherlands—Paradiso
March 10—Cologne, Germany—Bürgerhaus Stollwerck
March 11—Antwerp, Belgium—De Roma
March 13—Milan, Italy—Circolo Magnolia
March 14—Zürich, Switzerland—Kaufleuten Festaal
March 15—Munich, Germany—Ampere
March 17—Vienna, Austria—Porgy & Bess
March 18—Warsaw, Poland—Praga Centrum
March 19—Berlin, Germany—Heimathafen Neukölln
March 20—Hamburg, Germany—Uebel & Gefaehrlich
April 15—Madrid, Spain—Independence Club
April 16—Barcelona, Spain—Razzmatazz Room 2
April 18—Paris, France—Le Trabendo
April 19—London, U.K.—KOKO
April 20—Bristol, U.K.—Thekla
April 22—Manchester, U.K.—Manchester Academy 3
April 23—Glasgow, U.K.—King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
April 25—Dublin, Ireland—The National Concert Hall