Will Knox Unveils Deeply Personal Fourth Album English Silence

Born storyteller Will Knox releases his fourth album English Silence, with focus track ‘Body Talk’ at the helm. The album presents eleven newly crafted songs by the much-respected singer-songwriter, often compared to artists like Elliott Smith, Bear’s Den, Villagers, Nick Mulvey and Passenger.

Recorded in London with producer Ian Grimble (Bear’s Den, Daughter, Axel Flovent), English Silence is an embodiment of Will Knox’s honest and vulnerable songwriting as he explores intimate themes of coming-of-age, fatherhood, and healing. The emotional sensitivity of these personal topics are accentuated by tender acoustic strings, lush harmonies and soft percussion, which provide a comforting presence right through the album.

In summarising the journey of unlearning and relearning mental health patterns that Will went through whilst making the album, he shares: "I started writing English Silence during lockdown, having learned I was going to become a father for the first time. The time allowed me to confront a lot of issues from my past, and I was determined not to pass on any of my own issues to my child. I took online therapy sessions and had some difficult but beautiful conversations with friends & family. A lot of unsaid things were said. I realised how difficult I find it to communicate my feelings in the real world, perhaps explaining what has always drawn me to songwriting."‍

This self-reflection comes through most poignantly in focus track ‘Body Talk’, which was originally written with Belgian artist Emma Bale.

“Body Talk” is about communicating without words, being sensitive to what someone is thinking by reading their body language, and hoping they understand you in the same way. In the past I’ve often been too nervous, scared or excited to tell someone how I felt, instead relying on physical hints & interactions to communicate,” Will Knox says.

An acoustic version of ‘Body Talk’ will be released in October with Dutch singer-songwriter néomí.

Themes of healing and rebuilding run throughout English Silence. Opener ‘Instant Coffee’ explains there are no quick fixes to healing, reassuring the listener that it’s okay if it takes time. ‘Leave The Light On’, like ‘Body Talk’, discusses finding it hard to communicate in certain situations. ‘Twentysomething’ is a song about being lost in your twenties, struggling to find yourself as an individual. ‘Growing Pains’ is a conversation between Will and his younger self, or inner child. It's a song about learning how to reparent, whilst becoming a parent at the same time. Fatherhood is an essential theme of English Silence, an album in which Will has continued to evolve as a songwriter, now able to transcribe more than ever the complex journey and environments that made him the person he is today. Alongside Emma Bale and néomí the album also includes co-writes with Fin Greenall (a.k.a. Fink) and Celine Cairo.

Ultimately, the honesty and openness that Will Knox pours into his music is what makes him a much-loved singer-songwriter. In addition to this artist project, Will has also built a strong reputation for himself as a well-respected and successful songwriter and producer. He has received five Buma Awards and one ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) award with credits on tracks totalling over 1 billion streams. He found his way to the Netherlands through various collaborations with Dutch artists including Duncan Laurence, Sevdaliza, Son Mieux, Sarah Julia, néomí, Dotan, RONDE, Ilse DeLange, and many others.

Will Knox will also be touring The Netherlands for the multi-venue music festival Popronde in Autumn 2024 (dates below).

Upcoming live dates:

8th September - Surfana Festival, Bloemendaal

14th September - Regionaal Archief, Nijmegen

20th September - Guusje, Apeldoorn

29th September - Koffiesaeck, Woerden

11th October – Hotel Central, Den Bosch

18th October – Kruisherenkapel, Uden

19th October - De Blauw Trap, Venlo

20th October - Stadsmuseum, Harderwijk

1st November - Sound & Soul, Arnhem

10th November - Tigerr Benger, Dordrecht

14th November - Filmhuis, Breda

24th January - Le Café de la Danse, Paris