This Candle Is For You

by Spearmint

supported by

more...

	/

Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
12" long player, on classic black vinyl, with printed inner and 32 page A5 lyric book, with notes from the band

Includes unlimited streaming of This Candle Is For You via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/44.1kHz.

ships out within 14 days

edition of 500 15 remaining

Purchasable with gift card

£25 GBP or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

Download available in 24-bit/44.1kHz.

£7 GBP or more

1.	Tell Me About My Sister 07:08	buy track
2.	Makes You Beautiful 03:33	buy track
3.	Melody's Mother's Jam 02:53	buy track
4.	The Most Secret Agent In The World 04:30	buy track
5.	Prince And Joni 03:25	buy track
6.	Three More Songs On The Jukebox 01:10	buy track
7.	Never Far From Saturday Night 02:29	buy track
8.	Into The Darkness 03:11	buy track
9.	How I Became The Nutter On The Bus / Older Cats Pt 1 04:43	buy track
10.	Older Cats Pt 2 02:52	buy track
11.	Flowers On The Bandstand 04:40	buy track
12.	Back In The Middle 03:59	buy track

about

Independent heavyweights Spearmint return this year to follow-up 2021’s highly acclaimed ‘Holland Park’, with the superb new album ‘This Candle Is For You’.

Spearmint have been making great records for a couple of decades now: this will be their tenth album proper. Still the same line-up: Shirley Lee (singing, guitar), Simon Calnan (singing, keyboards), James Parsons (guitar, bass) and Ronan Larvor (drums). This album will be the 60th release on their own hitBACK label. Missed out so far? The new album provides the perfect place to start!

The dizzying multiverse of an album covers a wide array of themes, including the search for a missing sister, the ways we remember lost loved ones, Prince’s encounters with Joni Mitchell, the story of John Gavin, the James Bond star who never got to make a film, late-night drinking in Soho, the joys of B-movies & video nasties, changing attitudes to mental health, the plight and wonder of older cats, the reaction to the death of Sarah Everard, and the afterlife.

Re-united with producer Rhodri Marsden (Scritti Politti), the band feel that this record is their best yet. Singer Shirley explains “We started off just wanting to make an album that would stand alongside our last one ‘Holland Park’, but it ended up surprising us – we love it!”

‘This Candle Is For You’ is released on 17th November digitally, on CD, and on limited vinyl with 32-page lyric book via WIAIWYA records.

It will be preceded by three 7” singles with accompanying videos:
‘Melody’s Mother’s Jam’ on 28th July.
‘Three More Songs On The Jukebox’ & Prince & Joni’ on 15th September.
‘Older Cats 2’ on 3rd November.

Spearmint will premiere the album live in London in December, followed by further shows throughout 2024.

Here’s what the press said about Spearmint’s last couple of albums:

“Super-sweet, super-literate pop. How amazing that Spearmint, all in middle age, clearly still keeping up the day jobs, can unite to make music this wonderful.” - Mojo

“Unique and beautiful… A fascinating musical voyage of affirmation and tribute: 5/5” – The Morning Star

“Durable, indefinable art-pop mavericks Spearmint go all out on the brilliant, bittersweet concept album Holland Park” – Prog Magazine

“Contender for the end of the year best-of lists. I could pick every single track here as a highlight. This guy could sing the phone book.” – Louder Than War

“It’s one of the best albums of the year.” – God is in the TV

“Could well be their finest work yet. Spearmint craft and create moments of wonder, delight and joy on every song and leave you gasping.” – Mild Mannered Army

“Sweeping, swooping strings, swooning, mooning wordsmithery, the right side of twee and never dull nor dumb, cleverly literate with literal endeavours. What more could you ask for?” ***** Music News

“Spearmint’s ‘Future’ vision fizzes with energy and charm vibrantly alive in the here and now.” **** Record Collector

“One of the great unsung indie-pop bands of the last 20 years.” – Arts Agenda

“Clever pop, big tunes – this band is a hidden gem.” – Vanguard Online

“Every song is a melodious delight: wry observations on politics, love, longing and loss. Spearmint are a revelation and an institution.” – Back Seat Mafia

“Spray your listening space in an adorable sunny feel good radiance. Resistance as they say, is useless.” – The Sunday Experience

“The world would clearly be a better place if more people knew about Spearmint.” – Sonic Breakfast

“Grab this album, crank up the volume and dance barefoot round the kitchen… Go buy!” – Penny Black Music

credits

released November 17, 2023

license

subtotal
taxes calculated at checkout

about

Spearmint London, UK

Spearmint is a London-based band. We are fiercely independent, but do not regard ourselves as Indie, in fact we don’t align with any genre or movement.

The line-up is unchanged since 1995: Shirley Lee (singing, guitar, main song-writer), James Parsons (guitar, bass), Simon Calnan (singing, keyboards) and Ronan Larvor (drums). ... more

contact / help

Contact Spearmint

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Spearmint, you may also like:

Holland Park
by Spearmint

supported by 48 fans who also own “This Candle Is For You”

love this album... there is so much going on on here, we'll all hear (I'm sure) little influences from our own musical journey through life, whether as (failed) musician or fan. lovely, life affirming stuff! pure pop for now (and yesterday) people... skippenh
go to album
Senseless (A Stranger) / The Music They Love Us To Hate
by Spearmint

supported by 27 fans who also own “This Candle Is For You”

Love this comeback. Lost Detective
go to album
24
by Various Artists

supported by 22 fans who also own “This Candle Is For You”

I've never heard of this label, but I'll support anyone that supports The Edible Eyes. Also what a great collection of holiday music! mycahm
go to album
Stories from the Upside Down
by Joe Astray

Alternative folk devotionals swaddled in woolen lo-fi production, crackling tones, and heart-on-sleeve lyrics. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 7, 2025
go to album
Petals
by Alone at Parties

This Romanian band experiments with punk, lo-fi elements, and electronic beats. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 6, 2025
go to album
New Year's Face
by Nick & June

Melancholic indie folk evoking a mix of Bon Iver and Big Thief with shimmering synths and gently pulsing beats. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 6, 2025
go to album
UNDER THE BRIDGE
by VARIOUS ARTISTS

supported by 19 fans who also own “This Candle Is For You”

The greatest to ever do it, do it again! Sometimes lush as a warm blanket, sometimes all the angles of a dance party, always suspended in and out of time _hopskipjump
go to album