The UK Southern-rock four-piece WOOD BURNT RED have announced that their debut album Hold On Tight will be released on Friday September 4th 2026.
The quartet didn’t set out to make a shiny record; they set out to make a virtuous one—and the distinction between these two ambitions is everything. Therefore, from stadium-ready anthems that’ll have audiences hollering back to the stage… to serene passages that will stop every listener in their tracks, Hold On Tight is a pilgrimage of devotion and delivers the type of rare courage that can only be found through adaptability.
In essence, this album reveals a rock ensemble that are operating at peak power— earth-shaking when absolutely necessary, raw and exposed when feeling vulnerable, yet unflinchingly and heroically courageous when all the chips are down! Above all, this is a band that remain manifestly and valiantly true to themselves and the art they believe in.
Take for example the first single taken from the album “Fire Me Up” that was co-written with British country music producer Tyler Spicer. (Stream the single here: https://ffm.to/wbr_firemeup )
“Fire Me Up is a big, heartfelt message to everyone who ever told us we were wasting our time chasing an unrealistic dream...” says the Wood Burnt Red front-man Tom Franklin.
“Tyler brought us this idea he had written with us in mind. We instantly loved it, rocked it up, and everything fell into place. The melody and lyrics came naturally. It was one of the easiest songs we have recorded, and we genuinely think it is one of the best.”
The piece builds into a soaring, satisfying chorus that bursts with perseverance and vitality…
At first, the song feels dark as cinder, marked by a linear, chanting vocal from Tom Franklin, though with a cadenced scuffle of guitars provided by Rob Graney, and an accentuated Western promenade-style rhythm from Ed Baldwin on drums. Yet the piece soon builds into a soaring, satisfying chorus that bursts with perseverance and vitality.
After a blood-red cluster of bass notes (Russ Staples), the piece expands immensely and in all directions, to saturate the space with tension, spectacle, and ambitious musical sincerity. “Fire Me Up” is both redoubtable and magnificent!
WOOD BURNT RED Get Fired Up here: https://ffm.to/wbr_firemeup
Pre-save the album (due September 4th ) here: https://ffm.to/holdontight_wbr
Main photo: © Lizzie Franklin
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