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Confidence
Studio album by The Hoosiers
Released	15 September 2023 (2023-09-15)
Studio	Angelic Studios
Genre	Pop rock, indie pop, indie rock, alternative rock
Length	36:57
Label	Crab Race
Producer	Sam Miller Alan Sharland Irwin Sparkes
The Hoosiers chronology
The Secret Service (2015) Confidence (2023)
Singles from Confidence
"Hello Sunshine" Released: 25 April 2023 "Snowflake" Released: 30 June 2023 "Idaho" Released: 4 August 2023 "Making a Monster" Released: 15 September 2023

Confidence is the fifth album released by British indie pop band The Hoosiers, their first since 2015's The Secret Service. It was released on 15 September 2023 by Crab Race and is published by Downtown Music and distributed by Fuga. It is the band's first album as a duo, following the 2016 departure of keyboardist Sam Swallow.

Background and promotion

In January 2023, it was reported that The Hoosiers were working alongside The Trick to Life producer Sam Miller on "their first studio album in eight years." In April 2023, alongside the release of the single "Hello Sunshine," the album, titled Confidence, was formally announced.

Since this announcement, three more singles have been released: "Snowflake" on 30 June, "Idaho" on 4 August and "Making a Monster" on 15 September. All four songs have been accompanied by music videos, created by Will Hutchinson.

To promote the album, in June 2023 the band announced a tour of the UK, to take place between September and October 2023. Sharland and Sparkes have also appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio Solent, Virgin Radio UK Talksport and BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss the release.

In December 2023, the duo announced that a deluxe edition of the album would be released on 19 January 2024. Titled Overconfidence, it features five additional tracks.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Retro Pop Magazine

Upon the album's initial release, critical reception was positive, with Jeremy Williams-Chalmers of the Lancashire Times claiming the band sounds "stronger than ever before" and that Confidence is "a much-needed shot of optimism in a time of global adversity."

Retro Pop Magazine too praised the album, scoring it three of five stars, likening "Hello Sunshine" to the sound of the band's debut album and noting that "16 years after releasing their first, major label LP... they continue to deliver the goods."

Jane Savidge, of Bristol-based music venue The Thekla, was similarly positive, suggesting the album should be considered "one of the natural wonders of the world" and that the record was "effortlessly beguiling."

Reviews of the album's associated tour were also positive, with B24/7 suggesting tracks from Confidence were "met with the same enthusiasm as the classics" at the September 28th Bristol performance. Of the October 1st Newcastle event, Music For The Misfits was similarly upbeat, suggesting the set had "surpassed our expectations" and that the band "have returned with renewed energy."

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Confidence.

Charts

References

1. "Confidence by The Hoosiers on Apple Music". Apple Music. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
2. Homewood, Ben (9 September 2023). "The Hoosiers sign publishing and distribution deal with Downtown Music / Publishing / Music Week". Music Week. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
3. Swallow, Sam (19 September 2016). "Sam Swallow". Facebook. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
4. "The Hoosiers working on new album with producer behind their chart-topping debut - RETROPOP". Retro Pop Magazine. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
5. "Hello Sunshine - Single by The Hoosiers - Spotify". Spotify. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
6. "The Hoosiers announce fifth studio album Confidence - RETROPOP". Retro Pop Magazine. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
7. "The Hoosiers new album and tour dates - Music News - Music-News.com". Music News. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
8. "Snowflake by The Hoosiers on Apple Music". Apple Music. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
9. "Idaho - Single by The Hoosiers - Spotify". Spotify. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
10. "UK rock band with Fifa 08 banger release 'spring in your step' new album - Local News - News - Crewe Nub News". Crewe Nub News. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
11. "The Hoosiers - Hello Sunshine (Official Video) - YouTube". YouTube. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
12. "The Hoosiers - Snowflake (Official Video) - YouTube". YouTube. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
13. "The Hoosiers - Idaho, official video on Vimeo". Vimeo. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
14. "The Hoosiers - Making a Monster (Official Video) - YouTube". YouTube. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
15. Kapur, Desh (2 June 2023). "The Hoosiers — Announce UK Tour For Autumn 2023 - All Music Magazine". All Music Magazine. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
16. Callen, Andi (15 September 2023). "News: The Hoosiers announce UK tour ahead of release of new album "Confidence". – Backseat Mafia". Back Seat Mafia. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
17. "The Hoosiers - Sonic PR". Sonic PR. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
18. "UK rock band with major 00s hits promise 'instant gratification' with new album - Local Features - News - Teddington Nub News". Teddington Nub News. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
19. "Alan Sharland And Irwin Sparkes Of The Hoosiers On BBC Breakfast [13.09.2023] - YouTube". BBC Breakfast. YouTube. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
20. "BBC Radio Solent - Lucy Ambache, 22/07/2023, The Hoosiers on BBC Radio Solent". BBC Radio Solent. BBC Sounds. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
21. "BBC Local Radio - Stereo Underground, Featured Artist: The Hoosiers. Plus: The Stranglers, The Dandy Warhols, The Undertones, Paul Weller, Jimmy Eat World, The Verve, The Hoosiers are back out on tour with a new album". BBC Radio Solent. BBC Sounds. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
22. "The Hoosiers open up about new album, the effects of fame and finding their distinctive sound - Virgin Radio UK". Virgin Radio UK. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
23. "Literally Off The Bench - Hawksbee & Jacobs Daily - Acast". Talksport. Acast. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
24. "BBC Radio 5 Live - Nihal Arthanayake, Dancing on Ice, The Hoosiers and being in your 20s". BBC Radio 5 Live. BBC Sounds. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
25. "The Hoosiers - OVERCONFIDENCE - On Jan 19th we release the deluxe... - Facebook". Facebook. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
26. "Overconfidence - Album by The Hoosiers - Apple Music". Apple Music. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
27. Williams-Chalmers, Jeremy (16 September 2023). "Albums: The Hoosiers Confidence". Lancashire Times. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
28. "The Hoosiers – Confidence". Retro Pop Magazine. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
29. Savidge, Jane. "The Hoosiers - Thekla Bristol". The Thekla. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
30. Smith, Mia (2 October 2023). "Review: The Hoosiers, Thekla - 'They know how to put on a show'". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
31. "Live: The Hoosiers haven't aged a day". Music For The Misfits. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
32. Confidence (liner notes). The Hoosiers. Crab Race. 2023. CR024LP.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
33. "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 9/2/2024 - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
34. "Official Albums Downloads Chart on 22/9/2023 - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
35. "Official Albums Sales Chart on 22/9/2023 - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
36. "Official Independent Albums Chart on 22/9/2023 - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
37. "Official Physical Albums Chart on 22/9/2023 - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
38. "Official Record Store Chart on 19/1/2024 - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.

• 2023 albums
• The Hoosiers albums