Liverpool’s Novelty Island (aka Tom McConnell) are pleased to reveal their new single ‘Apollo’, released 24th September 2025 on all good digital service providers via Ripe Records.

Commenting on the track, McConnell says: “Apollo trundles through the A and B roads for another spin around the grass. It’s a lo-fi jangle pop ditty inspired by Tusk-era Fleetwood Mac with a synth riff provided by Gary Daly of Liverpool legends China Crisis.”

‘Apollo’ is the latest single to be taken from their forthcoming new album Jigsaw Causeway, set for release on 3rd October 2025 via Liverpool independent labels 9×9 Records (vinyl) and Ripe Records (digital).

As with the rest of his back catalogue, the new album will feature McConnell’s artwork in a range of styles, from papier-mâché sculptures, to lo-fi animation and claymation, inspired by the songs. These works also feature on the artwork for the singles and the album sleeve, which is made from over 50,000 jigsaw pieces.

The band also recently announced details of their debut art gallery exhibition ‘Jigsaw Causeway’ running from 4th–10th October 2025 at Bridewell Studios & Gallery, Liverpool, with an exclusive launch event at the gallery on 3rd October 2025 from 7.30pm.

Inspired by the fuzzed-out, woozy production of Grandaddy, Beck and Boards of Canada, new album Jigsaw Causeway is a darker collection of surreal, melancholic lo-fi pop songs than previous NI releases.

Lead single ‘Rainy’ and follow-up releases ‘Foam Animals’, ‘Northern Nowhere’, and ‘The Only Train Driver In England’ were released earlier this year, with radio play from Nathan Shepherd at BBC Radio 6Music and a swathe of underground tastemaker support from Shiding! Magazine, Soundsphere Magazine, Maximum Volume Music and more.

Recently announced Winter 2025 UK headline tour dates are also on sale now (see below for listings).

Exhibition Dates:

OCT 3RD – LIVERPOOL – BRIDEWELL STUDIOS AND GALLERY (Launch)
OCT 4TH—10TH – LIVERPOOL – BRIDEWELL STUDIOS AND GALLERY

UK Headline Tour Dates:

OCT 25TH – LIVERPOOL – THE BLUECOAT
NOV 07TH – STOKE – THE ARTISAN TAP (w/ The Orange Alert)
NOV 08TH – NEWCASTLE – THE COMMON ROOM
DEC 04TH – LEEDS – HYDE PARK BOOK CLUB
DEC 05TH – MANCHESTER – THE CASTLE HOTEL
DEC 11TH – BIRMINGHAM – HARE & HOUNDS
DEC 13TH – LONDON – THE VICTORIA

Tickets – https://www.novelty-island.com/live

Images provided by @lens_of_a_wool