Nottingham duo Sleaford Mods have released a new single, “Big Pharma” along with the announcement of a new EP called More UK Grim. The EP, recorded alongside their hit album, UK Grim, is a collection of an additional five songs that see the pair continue to build on their successful year.

Yo. More UK GRIM”, the new EP, written alongside UK GRIM is out on Friday 20 October. Pre-order/save your copy now https://t.co/4LVj8F3Gi6 pic.twitter.com/zFD9wZq5Ws

— Sleaford Mods (@sleafordmods) September 20, 2023

Made up of Andrew Fearn and Jason Williamson, Sleaford Mods released UK Grim to wide critical acclaim, with the album finding chart and mainstream success. Now, the duo are looking to further capitalise on the wave they have been riding, gearing up to release a companion EP to UK Grim. The group also shared a new single from the impending EP, with “Big Pharma” expounding with a critical eye, the Covid pandemic and all of the information that, they allege, certain groups pushed forward with the aim of making capital gains. The song has been described by Sleaford Mods as lyrically punishing and brutally honest.

Tomorrow. 11am BST #sleafordmods #moreukgrim pic.twitter.com/gEWqn99r43 — Sleaford Mods (@sleafordmods) September 19, 2023

Speaking on the new single, Williams said, “‘Big Pharma’ was written in the opening chapters of autumn 2022 when Covid kicked in again. It carries a lot of the normal Sleaford Mods absurdism but also looks at the ongoing fascination with trying to find truths in information wholly pushed by very questionable people.” 

Further elaborating on the politically charged phrase that is the song’s title, Williams added, “Now, Big Pharma is more familiar as a term used by right wing and industrial groups trying to mask the financial aims of their arguments with some kind of critical thinking panache-type legitimacy. It just feels wrong. It feeds on hopelessness, widespread fear and generations of unfettered misinformation linked to the limited critical perception we as the masses are burdened with.”

The song is also accompanied by a new video, helmed by Sean Sears. The video features an animated format that matches the lyrical content of the track and recalls the fear and information overload that often characterised the panic surrounding the pandemic.

The single and EP announcement also comes amid the duo’s preparations for their upcoming UK and European tour, beginning in October and running through to the end of the year. The pair have also shared that their performance at London’s Alexandra Palace in December will feature special guests, Special Interest, John Grant and Stewart Lee.

Back in June, Sleaford Mods joined Brit-pop legends Blur for their two night Wembley Arena performances. Supporting the band on their first night, Sleaford Mods had the opportunity to promote their sound to scores of potential new listeners.

Sleaford Mods new EP, More UK Grim can be pre-ordered here. Tickets for the upcoming tour can be found here.

Sleaford Mods UK and Europe Tour:

14/10/2023 – Tivoliredenburg – Utrecht, Netherlands
15/10 – De Roma – Antwerp, Belgium
16/10 – Batschkapp – Frankfurt, Germany
18/10 – Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, Germany
19/10 – Grosse Freiheit 36 – Hamburg, Germany
21/10 – Columbiahalle – Berlin, Germany
24/10 – Taubchenthal – Leipzig, Germany
25/10 – Roxy – Prague, Czech Republic
26/10 – Vienna Arena – Vienna, Austria
28/10 – Tonhalle – Munich, Germany
29/10 – X-Tra – Zurich, Switzerland
01/11 – Sala Apolo – Barcelona, Spain
03/11 – La Riviera – Madrid, Spain
05/11 – Le Krakatoa – Bordeaux, France
06/11 – Stereolux – Nantes, France
07/11 – Le Bataclan – Paris, France
22/11 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
23/11 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
25/11 – National Stadium – Dublin
28/11 – O2 Academy – Leeds
29/11 – O2 Academy Warehouse – Manchester
30/11 – O2 Academy – Bristol
02/12 – Alexandra Palace – London
05/01/2024 – Rockaway Beach Festival – Bognor Regis