Big Special Return With Grit and Groove on Bold New Album ‘National Average’
British post-punk duo Big Special have made an unexpected and powerful comeback with their sophomore album, National Average. Following the raw intensity of their breakout debut Postindustrial Hometown Blues, the Black Country pair continue to punch above their weight—this time with deeper insight and a sharper, funk-laced sound.From Underground Hype to Industry Players
Last year, Joe Hicklin and Callum Moloney burst onto the scene with a voice that felt equal parts gospel and growl. Their first album tackled the bleak beauty of working-class life in the Midlands, earning them comparisons to Sleaford Mods, IDLES, and The Fall. Now, with National Average, the duo explores what comes after the breakthrough—when the dream comes true, but the demons don’t go away.The album doesn’t shy away from themes of depression, imposter syndrome, or lingering anxiety. In fact, it leans into them with brutal honesty. Hicklin, a master of sardonic lyricism, uses his signature bark to reflect on the dissonance between outward success and inner struggle. “Everything’s different, and yet everything feels the same,” seems to be the record’s unspoken mantra.
Looking Back to Move Forward
In many ways, National Average is a reflection on simpler times—before the tours, the interviews, and the record deals. Back when Hicklin was chasing gigs and Moloney was delivering parcels. The title itself is a knowing wink to the ordinary lives they left behind, and the invisible ceiling that still looms over so many with working-class roots.The album doesn’t just linger in introspection—it also evolves sonically. Big Special tap into funkier territory, introducing a groove that lifts the grit without softening the message. It’s loud, political, personal, and unmistakably theirs.
On Masculinity, Funk, and Rachel Goswell
In a recent Clash interview, the band opened up about challenging ideas around masculinity through their music. Vulnerability, doubt, and emotional honesty thread through every track, with Hicklin delivering each line like a sermon in a sweat-soaked pub.One of the album’s standout collaborations features Rachel Goswell of Slowdive, bringing an ethereal counterpoint to the otherwise confrontational soundscape. It’s a moment of softness that reveals Big Special’s expanding musical vocabulary—and the emotional depth they’re unafraid to plumb.
Authenticity That Cuts Deep
What makes National Average more than just a solid follow-up is its unwavering sense of purpose. Big Special aren’t here to mimic success—they’re here to question it. To poke holes in the myth of meritocracy and remind listeners that fame doesn't erase the system that’s rigged against you.Once again, they put their finger firmly on the pulse—and press. Hard.
With National Average, Big Special deliver another brutally honest and beautifully loud statement. Not bad for two blokes who never felt that big or special. Now they’re both—and they’re not letting up anytime soon.
