Brand new single from 23 Fields

From England’s south coast, a trio called 23 Fields have been transmitting heartfelt storytelling, understated musicianship and an profound appreciation for the emotional power of song. Folk, rock and Americana stylings all flow into a warm, expansive sound, offering music that feels timeless and highly personal. Fronted by singer and guitarist Step Adams alongside violinist Louise Driver and percussionist Jason M. Smith, the band has developed a sound where carefully crafted melodies and candid lyricism sit at the centre of everything they create.

23 Fields, for Step Adams, also represents a return to a passion that had remained dormant for years. Growing up in Hastings during the 1990s, his musical education was influenced by artists from across the alternative rock landscape, with inspirations ranging from Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine to The Levellers. While those years were driven by loud guitars and youthful energy, he gradually found himself drawn towards the intimacy of acoustic songwriting, discovering the lasting impact that could come from little more than a voice, a guitar and a compelling story.

Life ultimately led him away from music for an extended period and over the next two decades, he built a career in emergency nursing, working in busy Accident and Emergency departments while also volunteering with the RNLI. The intensity of those experiences, witnessing both compassion and crisis on a daily basis, gradually accumulated beneath the surface. Although music had taken a back seat, those years provided the emotional context that would later become central to his songwriting. Encouraged by his partner, he eventually found his way back to writing and recording, giving rise to 23 Fields.

The songs reflect the observations of someone who’s spent years helping others, carrying stories that are rarely dramatic for their own sake but strike a chord because they feel truthful. Across their first three albums, 23 Fields established a distinctive identity built on subtle arrangements and an exploration of love, everyday life and political awareness. The band’s sound balances folk with textures of Americana and rock, while Louise Driver’s violin and Jason M. Smith’s percussion provide colour and movement around Adams’ reflective songwriting.

Following last year’s album, The Vacant Stars Of Wandering Souls, the trio now returns with their latest single, “I’ll See You Soon,” perhaps their most personal release thus far. Composed from the perspective of someone burdened by the guilt of not visiting elderly parents often enough, “I’ll See You Soon” explores the promises people make to themselves and to those they love, while quietly acknowledging that time doesn’t always allow those promises to be fulfilled.

Honest lyrics and an emotional performance create a song that encourages listeners to reflect on their own relationships and the moments they may have postponed. Set up by the patter of snappy drums, bright piano tones and fluttering violin notes, Step’s rich voice enters to stitch thoughtful lyrics into the moving musical fabric. Gliding with bouncy rhythmic energy and buoyant instrumentation, the song finds an intricate balance between uplifting aesthetic and poignant theme, offering a memorable and thoroughly affecting folk pop soundscape.

Peppered with graceful instrumental flourishes and led by captivating vocal performance, “I’ll See You Soon” progresses with smooth ebb and flow to craft an enduing musical moment that’s sure to delight new and existing fans of the band alike. The track remains faithful to the band’s style while bringing a breezy groove and upbeat energy, offering another stellar display of their truly enjoyable sonic output. As they open an exciting new chapter in their musical story, we can’t wait to see what comes next from this talented folk trio.

Commenting on the single, they shares, “I’ll See You Soon came from a very real place. It’s about loving your parents deeply while carrying the guilt of not being present enough. It’s a song about the things we mean to do, the time that slips away, and the hope that it’s not too late.”

Listen to I’ll See You Soon below

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