Second album from Hull-based Pavey Ark.  More Time, More Speed delves into that intriguing space between alt-folk and chamber folk and pulls out twelve lovingly-crafted, melodic songs that explore the concept of time, and our relationship with it

Release Date:  21st November 2025

Label: Self Release

Format:  CD, Vinyl, Digital

BUILDING A REPUTATION

Formed in 2016 at the behest of singer-songwriter Neil Thomas, Hull-based collective Pavey Ark is building quite a reputation for itself.  Debut album, Close Your Eyes and Think of Nothing (2020) turned a multitude of heads and the group has consolidated that success through a string of  attention-grabbing appearances at Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, SXSW 2025 and elsewhere.

Pavey Ark’s music occupies the space between alt-folk and modern chamber folk, with Neil’s fingerpicked guitar and clear, intimate, vocals fleshed-out by string quartet and brass arrangements.  Influences such as Jackson C Frank, Nick Drake, Fleet Foxes and even Radiohead are detectable in the Pavey Ark sound.  And that sound is smooth, melodic and utterly enticing.

A TIMELY CONCEPT

More Time, More Speed is a concept album that explores the theme of how time bends, distorts and shapes our lives – how our individual and collective experiences seem to stretch, contract and sometimes completely warp our perception of time.  Along the way, events and themes such as the pandemic, climate change and our relationship with the technology that surrounds us all come under Neil’s scrutiny.

A gently fingerpicked guitar blossoms slowly into a calming symphony in opening track Out of Here, before the symphonic flower closes as smoothly as it opened.  The entry of the strings is similarly discrete for Epoch, Neil’s well-crafted reflection on climate collapse.  The strings give the song a Middle Eastern feel that contrasts nicely with Neil’s distinctly western vocal passion and, when the brass section join in, the song flicks a nod in the direction of Mexico.

SINCERE VOCALS AND INDIAN SPICE

Neil’s sincere vocals and an ensemble of soaring strings are sandwiched between two passages of endearing twangy guitar in The Go Slow, a recollection of life during lock down.  And those same strings add flavours of Indian spice to Neil’s thoughtful guitar, gentle piano and intimate, echo-y vocals in the charming Stop These Games.

The Devil’s Time is another song that builds impressively from its folky beginnings.  The strings are still here, but they’re pared back – at least at first – and they never detract from Neil’s soft contemplations. 

INTIMACY

A tasteful guitar figure introduces a full-band sound, complete with drums, for Your Sweet Time.  Guitar, strings and some strident brass all play a part in making the song one of the album’s more accessible tracks.  But intimacy is probably the most obvious quality of More Time, More Speed and that quality is particularly evident in the album’s title track.  The song is gentle and ponderous, but has an intensity that almost convinces the listener that Neil is right there in the room with them, and the strings seem like they’re coming from somewhere else altogether.

Most of the songs on More Time, More Speed are structured around Neil’s acoustic guitar, with strings and brass making their presence felt with emerging discretion.  The tables are turned, however, for the delightful Yesterday is Done, possibly my favourite track.  Neil sings his lyrics to the accompaniment of the string quartet and, this time around, it’s the guitars that nudge their way in.  The chorus: “You can’t undo what’s done…” is almost anthemic and the drums and brass add a quasi-military air to the music.

CRYSTAL CLEAR

Neil contemplates the effect that the digital age has upon our lives for the intriguing All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace.  The song starts life as a folky number, before drums and brass cut in and the pace switches to a sprightly – and slightly deranged – march. 

Choppy guitar is overlayed by smooth strings as Hold Tight surges forward and gains in intensity.  And, along the way, Neil loses his coyness and flexes his vocal chords in much the same way that Bono would.  But it’s perhaps with the enchanting Time is a Burning Wheel that voice, guitar and strings combine to best effect.  Neil’s voice is as clear as crystal, as the strings shimmer soothingly in the background.

And this singular album is brought to a melodic, dreamy, climax by the excellent Atoms, another song that features the entire ensemble performing in perfect accord.  Pavey Ark is on an upward trajectory; More Time, More Speed is destined to add a good deal of thrust to that voyage.

Watch the official video to Yesterday is Done – a track from the album – below:

Pavey Ark online: Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Bandcamp / Spotify

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