Exploring Birdsong have announced details of their long-awaited debut album Every House We Built, and you can hear a heavier side of the band on new single ‘You Like It Best When It Hurts’.

Words by Felix Bartlett | March 26, 2026

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Exploring Birdsong are stepping into a new era with the announcement of their debut album, Every House We Built.

Set for release on June 26 via Long Branch Records, the record sees the trio turn inward, pulling from lived experiences to explore the intricacies of relationships across friendships, family and romance.

Alongside the news, the band have shared new single ‘You Like It Best When It Hurts’ – a track born from transformation.

“‘You Like It Best…’ actually began its life as a completely different song, but naturally evolved into what it is now,” explains vocalist Lynsey Ward. “We’ve always been proud of how broad our sound can be, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to really lean into our heavier influences and create the heaviest Birdsong music to date.”

On its themes, she continues: “Lyrically, it’s about a type of person we’ve all encountered – someone caught in a cycle of self-sabotage and destructive behaviour, almost as if they can’t – or won’t – break free from it.

“It’s new territory for us, too. We now feel equipped to channel anger and aggression in a way that feels authentic, and it became a kind of love letter to heavy music while also expressing our own frustrations.”

Check out ‘You Like It Best When It Hurts’ below.

Catch the band live this year:

Exploring Birdsong 2026 tour dates

September

23 Glasgow Classic Grand
24 London Islington Assembly Hall
25 Bristol Strange Brew
26 Manchester Gorilla