WREST are set to come storming back with the release of upcoming single Second Wind.

The four-piece will unveil the new track – a definite maturation of their sound – later this month.

Wrest made a real name for themselves with their debut album in 2019, followed up by an EP last year, both of which set the standard fairly high.

But with plans for further releases this year, Second Wind heralds a bright new chapter for the band.

Frontman Stewart Douglas tells The Weekender: "Second Wind is a song we've had for a while, but which fully came together over the pandemic. It was written as a song of endings, new beginnings, moving on and looking forward with renewed hope and optimism to a brighter future.

"It wasn't specifically written about the lockdown restrictions, but we felt it was a good fit for the times, and hopefully emerging back into the world after the enforced shutdown."

He adds: "Our sound has definitely been shaped by our experiences since the debut album launched in mid-2019, and to a large extent by Covid.

"We quickly found an audience after releasing Coward of Us All and found ourselves unexpectedly playing sold out shows – definitely a formative experience for any band.

"You quickly get a feel for what works well with a crowd, and what you might be missing. We've used that experience to guide us in shaping new material for the next era of our music, which definitely feels bigger and more refined in sound than our earlier music.

"We're conscious a lot of people really connected with the first album, certainly far more than we ever thought would be possible as an unsigned band. So, in a way, if people like the new stuff as much as they liked the first album, we'll feel that's mission accomplished.

"Ultimately, as long as people feel something with our music, we feel like we're achieving what we've set out to do. For us, it's all about that human connection. So, as long as people are listening and enjoying it, we'll be happy. And if Radio 1 fancies playlisting us, we'd be up for that too!"

Wrest are aiming to get back out on the road this summer, including dates in Europe.

Douglas adds: "We're looking forward to our much-delayed debut UK tour in July, with sold out shows waiting for us in Manchester, Newcastle and (very nearly) Brighton. That should bring us back to our biggest ever headline show at La Belle Angele in Edinburgh at the end of July, restrictions willing, which will be a band highlight for us all.

"From there, we've got our debut German tour lined up for November, including a sold out date in Hamburg and a few more hopefully on the way. We're really looking forward to getting across to Germany and playing for our German fans for the first time, especially as they've been patiently waiting for us to get across since April last year.

"There might even be some more new music in the pipeline too – check us out on social media to stay in the loop."

Wrest – Second Wind will be available from Friday, June 25.