Billy Nomates, aka Bristol, UK-based singer-songwriter Tor Maries, has announced her third album, Metalhorse, which will be out May 16 via Invada (the label founded by Geoff Barrow of Portishead / Beak>). Like on 2023’s CACTI, she co-produced it with James Trevascus (Dirty Three, Nick Cave), but this is her first album made with a full band. The album also features former Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell on the song “Dark Horse Friend.”
The first single from the album is “The Test,” which has that Billy Nomates blend of ’80s new wave pop and just a hint of twang. Tor says, “It’s working at something against the odds and feeling like someone’s helping you from the other side, and if they see you that’s the test. I really feel that when we’re playing it live. Like, with everything that’s going on, I can’t believe this is surviving.” You can watch the video below.
Billy Nomates has has UK/EU dates starting this week as Paris’ Les Inrocks Festival and those are listed below.
Metalhorse:
Metalhorse
Nothing Worth Winning
The Test
Override
Dark Horse Friend feat. Hugh Cornwell
Life’s Unfair
Plans
Gas
Comedic Timing
Strange Gift
Moon Explodes
Billy Nomates – Tour Dates
3/6 – Paris, France @ Les Inrocks Festival
3/29 – Bristol, UK @ Ritual Union Festival headline
4/5 London, UK @ Cro Cro Land Festival headline
5/18 – Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade (in store)
5/19 – London, UK @ Rough Trade East (in store)
5/20 – Brighton, UK @ Resident (in store)
5/22 – Coventry, UK @ Just Dropped In (in store)