British country duo The Shires have announced their long-awaited return with a brand new album, ‘Bonfire,' set for release on 3 July. The record marks the first new album in four years from Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes and promises a joyful collection of songs built around themes of togetherness, positivity and escapism. Bonfire will be available on vinyl, CD including signed formats, and digital platforms.
The announcement arrives alongside the release of the album’s lead single ‘Getaway Car,' a bright and energetic track that sets the tone for the project. Driven by a punchy kick drum, lively acoustic guitars and uplifting lyrics, the song captures the carefree spirit at the heart of the new record. Sung in the duo’s signature harmonies, the track builds into an instant singalong chorus that feels tailor-made for summer festival crowds.
For Earle, the new album represents a shift in the band’s creative approach. He describes ‘Bonfire' as the most instinctive record The Shires have ever made, explaining that the pair deliberately avoided overthinking the process. Instead of chasing perfection through endless takes and layers of production, the focus was simply on capturing the fun and energy of the songs as they were written.
Rhodes says the lead single reflects that same spirit. ‘Getaway Car' tells the story of the one person who can help steer you through difficult moments in life. She describes the track as a foot-stomping, hand-clapping festival anthem and a fresh new sound for the band, one that leans into their uplifting side while still retaining their strong country roots.
The album arrives during a busy period for The Shires, who continue to play a key role in the UK country scene they helped build. The duo are appearing at the C2C Festival in London, where they are opening the new Yard stage and hosting the Spotlight Stage during the event.
Since breaking through in 2015, The Shires have played a pioneering role in bringing country music to a wider British audience. Their debut album ‘Brave' became the first album by a British country act to reach the UK Top Ten, while its follow-up My Universe became the fastest-selling UK country album of all time. The pair also made history as the only British act to win a prestigious Country Music Association award.
In the years since, Earle and Rhodes have remained one of the most visible and influential acts in UK country music. Their success helped open the door for a new generation of British artists to find audiences both at home and internationally, while also helping to fuel the genre’s growing popularity across the UK.
To celebrate the release of ‘Bonfire,' The Shires will head out on an extensive UK headline tour later this year. The run begins on 3 November at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall before visiting cities including Manchester, Birmingham, London, Brighton, Swansea and Liverpool, concluding at Bristol Beacon on 20 November.
With new music, major festival appearances and a nationwide tour on the horizon, ‘Bonfire' marks the start of an exciting new chapter for one of the UK’s most successful country acts.
