London-based DIY quartet Middleman has announced the arrival of their debut studio album, Following the Ghost, set for release on February 13 via Evil Speaker Records. The band—consisting of Noah Alves, Harper Maury, Rory White, and Ted Foster—draws on a diverse range of influences including the taut post-punk of Mission of Burma and the melodic grit of The Replacements. The album functions as a lyrical exploration of how the past can tether an individual, hindering progress into the future. This sonic identity balances a wiry, aggressive assault with tender, acoustic-leaning moments reminiscent of Big Star or Neil Young. This record provides a fresh and urgent document of the modern UK punk scene.
The announcement is supported by the new single “The Furthest Place,” a track that pairs a sugary power-pop melody with an eruptive, high-energy finish. Songwriter and vocalist Noah Alves describes the composition as a rejection of instant gratification, contrasting a “sweet” musical core with lyrics that explore deeper dissatisfaction. This single follows the release of “Vacant Days,” which further established the band’s ability to swing between mellow tones and scratchy, angsty delivery. The instrumentation relies on sharp guitar lines and a driving rhythm section that emphasizes the group’s garage-distortion roots. These songs represent a bold and ambitious step forward for a band that has rapidly evolved from a three-piece unit into a sophisticated four-piece powerhouse.