Tindersticks | Dog Roses

The album Dog Roses was created under entirely new circumstances. After 20 years in their familiar studio, an atmospheric and almost church-like space, Tindersticks swapped their surroundings for a more hidden, underground studio. The move became a creative turning point where old working methods no longer functioned as expected, and the band had to find new approaches to both songwriting and recording. This has resulted in an album characterized by renewed confidence, experimentation, and a different kind of musical freedom.

For frontman Stuart Staples, working on Dog Roses has also been a challenge to his usual way of writing songs. While his lyrics have often had a clear sense of time and place, the new songs revolve more around fleeting impressions, intuitive feelings, and the many thoughts and conflicting emotions that can arise in a single moment. It is music that attempts to capture something intangible – a scent, a knot in the stomach, or a brief glimpse of one's own reflection.

Dog Roses was produced and recorded by Stuart Staples between December 2025 and August 2026. Although the band is moving in new directions, it is still the special musical chemistry between the members that forms the foundation. Earl Harvin's effortless drumming, Dan McKinna's adventurous bass, David Boulter's unpredictable musical contributions, and Neil Fraser's boundary-pushing guitar playing all help to shape the album's characteristic sound.

On the album, Tindersticks are also joined by guest musicians Dave Okumu on electric guitar and Julian Siegel on saxophone, while string arrangements led by the band's long-time collaborator Lucy Wilkins feature on two of the tracks.