Loathe guitarist Erik Bickerstaffe has spoken out about the band’s extended break between releases. He drew a comparison to Adele’s approach to music in a recent interview published by Kerrang!.
Bickerstaffe addressed the significant gap since the band’s 2021 record, The Things They Believe. He explained why he believes artists should be given the time they need before putting out new music.
“Adele does this thing where she just drops a record when she feels like it,” he said. “She releases the album, tours it, then goes away again for however long it is until she feels like coming back.”
The guitarist argued that taking time between releases is not only justified but ultimately beneficial for both the artist and the audience.
“I think it’s beneficial for people to be reminded that art takes time and artists should be allowed to take as long as they need to be happy with what they’ve made,” Bickerstaffe continued. “That’s how you know when something authentic and correct is being put out into the world rather than something with ulterior motives or without real care and passion put into it.”
He also touched on how the wait itself can strengthen the bond between a band and its listeners.
“And sometimes scarcity builds anticipation,” he added. “The time between releases can be an opportunity for people to really build a connection to the band, to build their own relationships with the music.”
Loathe’s upcoming album, A Stranger to You, is set for release on July 17. It marks the band’s first full-length record in six years, underscoring just how seriously they take the creative process they are now publicly defending.
A Stranger to You will be released through SharpTone Records. The album has already been previewed through a handful of singles, with tracks “Revenant” and “Fangs” both made available ahead of its arrival. The release marks a significant return for a group whose reputation was built on blending crushing heaviness with atmospheric, emotionally layered songwriting.
That reputation was cemented largely by their 2020 album, I Let It In and It Took Everything. The record drew widespread critical praise and established Loathe as one of the most distinctive voices in modern alternative metal. Its success raised expectations considerably, making the extended silence that followed all the more deliberate in hindsight.
The band officially announced A Stranger to You in April, confirming the July 17 release date alongside the first wave of promotional material. The announcement ended a prolonged period of quiet that had left fans speculating about the band’s next move for years.
With the album now weeks away, Bickerstaffe’s remarks frame the wait not as a setback but as a statement. It positions Loathe firmly among artists who prioritize craft over output.
