Doves have “leaked” the sheet music to their new song, and are asking fans to have a go at interpreting it before their next album, The Universal Want, is released on September 11. ‘Forest House’, the closing track on the upcoming album, will likely be heard for the first time when The Universal Want comes out – that is, after fans have heard it in whatever form they can come up with until then!

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We’re teasing a new track ‘Forest House’ the closing track on ‘The Universal Want’ – but to hear it first, you’re gonna have to play it first! To help you, we’ve had the music translated into scores for piano, bass, rhythm and lead guitars. You can either stick religiously to these scores or use them as a template to create anything you like, using whatever instruments are at hand. If you’re a little unsure of any of the chords, a quick search of YouTube will usually bring up a bloke with a beard and jumper showing you where to put your fingers. Show us your interpretations using #dovesleak We’ll add Jimi’s vocal to our favourite interpretation. We’ll also send the winner a signed box set. Entries accepted through Sept 10th. Have fun with it https://Doves.lnk.to/ForestHouseSheetIN (the link is also in our latest story). #doves #dovesband #theuniversalwant #dovesleak

A post shared by Doves (@dovesofficial) on Aug 19, 2020 at 2:00am PDT

Doves’ favourite version will have bassist Jimi Goodwin’s vocals recorded over the top, so the stakes are high! For those who want to get involved, it’s simple: download the sheet music, which can be found at here. Interpret it however you wish (you might need to learn an instrument first!). Post on social media with the hashtag #dovesleak. As one fan in the Instagram comments puts it: “Step 1. download music. Step 2. Learn to read music. Step 3. Profit.” Alongside the chance to be recorded, Doves will send a signed box set to the winning entry.

There are no limits to creativity here; Doves’ advice is to “try and get close to what lies in store on the album or create something wildly and brilliantly off-the-mark.” First and foremost, you should have some fun with the project. Regarding this innovative way of dropping a new song, the band say, “it’s been eleven years since our last album, and we all know how hard the last few month have been, so let’s have a little fun where we can.”

For a little less effort, you can also hear ‘Prisoners’, the latest single from The Universal Want. It premiered on July 9, and you can watch the video here.

Although ‘Forest House’ remains a mystery for the time being, frontman Goodwin spoke about ‘Prisoners’ candidly with NME, saying, “‘Prisoners’ is about that yearning that Doves have always had … Just over the horizon, there’s always something better. Sometimes we get trapped by our own behaviour. You can be a prisoner of your own thoughts. They can take you to some pretty dark and unexpected places if you let them. It’s a song about checking yourself. It’s not to do with lockdown or the pandemic, it’s just the day to day wellbeing.”

‘Prisoners’ joins earlier release ‘Carousels’ as the two songs that Doves fans don’t have to learn themselves to get a taste of The Universal Want. This will be Doves’ fifth album, and it’s long-awaited; their first in eleven years. The wait is nearly over though, especially for those who can read sheet music.

Last month, Doves confirmed a 2021 UK tour to follow The Universal Want. The tour dates are listed below.

21/03/2021 – University Great Hall – Cardiff
22/03 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
23/03 – UEA – Norwich
25/03 – Brighton Dome – Brighton
26/03 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
29/03 – O2 Academy – Bristol
30/03 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
01/04 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
02/04 – Rock City – Nottingham
03/04 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
05/04 – Eventim Olympia – Liverpool
09/04 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
10/04 – Barrowland – Glasgow