UK singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner has just released his eighth studio album Octopus while also gearing up for a return to Australia this April. Speaking with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips, Faulkner described the unusual period between finishing an album and its official release as both exciting and frustrating, a time when the music is complete but the world hasn’t yet heard it. For Faulkner, that waiting period felt almost like creative anticipation at its most intense, as he was eager for listeners to finally experience the new songs.
Now it’s out and he’s on his way to Australia
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW
More than five years in the making, OCTOPUS is Faulkner’s eighth studio album and his most adventurous to date. Written and produced from his East London studio, the record sees him stepping into a refreshed creative era, blending influences from funk, soul, R and B and Latin grooves with his unmistakable songwriting style.
The album’s title came from a surprisingly simple inspiration. While searching for a striking visual concept for the record’s artwork, Faulkner spent days scrolling through images of animals before settling on an octopus. The image felt right instantly, and only later did someone point out the accidental symbolism, Octopus also happens to be his eighth studio album. Beyond the coincidence, Faulkner says the title reflects the way the music stretches into different stylistic directions, reaching into corners of his musical influences he hadn’t explored before.
That sense of experimentation is clear from the album’s opening track, “Alright Alright Alright,” a high-energy song that Faulkner describes as kicking the door open to the record. Initially written as a joke to amuse himself, the track quickly proved to have real impact when friends and even his teenage son responded enthusiastically. The song’s punchy, almost punk-like feel makes it an ideal opener, establishing early that Octopus is an album designed with a dynamic flow and shape rather than simply a collection of songs.
Live, the track also highlights some of Faulkner’s latest technical innovations. Known for his inventive solo performances, he has replaced the looping setups that once defined his shows with a new system involving custom-built MIDI-triggered shoes. By stomping his feet, he can fire off samples and rhythmic elements from the album while still performing as a one-man band on guitar. The setup allows him to create a huge sound on stage while maintaining the spontaneity he values. Unlike backing tracks or loops, the system lets him speed up, slow down, or reshape songs depending on the audience and the energy of the room, something he sees as essential to keeping his performances fresh.
Collaboration also plays a significant role on Octopus. One standout example is the track “Hunting Season,” which features Lissie and Australian musician Serra Petale from Los Bitchos. Faulkner had originally recorded the song with his own guitar parts but decided to delete them entirely and invite Serra to reinterpret the arrangement. The result reshaped the track completely and even marked the first time in 25 years that Faulkner has released a song without playing guitar on it.
Other songs highlight different musical influences. Tracks like “Tic Tac Toe” and “Better For You” lean into feel-good harmonies inspired by classic pop groups such as The Beach Boys and The Four Tops, while also blending modern pop and indie textures. Faulkner says he deliberately used the album as an opportunity to acknowledge musical influences that hadn’t been obvious in his earlier work, combining vintage vocal styles with contemporary production ideas.
Despite the layered production and experimentation, Faulkner says he has learned an important discipline over the years…knowing when to stop tweaking a song. Early in his career he often felt the urge to keep refining tracks endlessly, but experience has taught him that perfection often lies in restraint. That balance between complexity and simplicity can be heard on songs like “Better For You,” where the final arrangement ended up being far more minimal than he originally planned.
Alongside the album release, Faulkner is looking forward to bringing the new material to Australian audiences when he tours the country in April. His shows will feature the expanded sonic palette developed for Octopus, delivered through his trademark solo performance style. For Faulkner, the ability to adapt each show to the audience and venue remains central to his approach, ensuring that no two performances are ever quite the same.
With Octopus, Faulkner continues to evolve as both a songwriter and producer and as he prepares to return to Australia, fans can expect a show that is as unpredictable and energetic as the album itself.
NEWTON FAULKNER AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2026
Friday 10 April – Paddo RSL, Sydney
Saturday 11 April – Avalon RSL, Sydney
Sunday 12 April – La La La’s, Wollongong
Wednesday 15 April – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle
Friday 17 April – Barwon Club, Geelong
Saturday 18 April – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Sunday 19 April – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
Tuesday 21 April – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Wednesday 22 April – Jive, Adelaide
Friday 24 April – The Northern, Byron Bay
Saturday 25 April – The Brightside, Brisbane
Sunday 26 April – Vinnies, Gold Coast
Tickets and information: troubadourpresents.com/events/newton-faulkner