Antony Szmierek Shares “Chalk” Ahead of Decoding Birdsong

The Night Temple
23 hours ago
2 min read

Antony Szmierek returns with “Chalk,” a tightly wound new single that continues to build anticipation for his upcoming album Decoding Birdsong, due August 21 via Mushroom Music and Virgin Music Group.

LISTEN TO ‘CHALK’ | WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO

Built around buzzing 808s, fluttering synths, and a restless bassline, “Chalk” leans into Szmierek’s signature blend of spoken word and club-driven production, landing somewhere between the emotional immediacy of Barry Can't Swim, the textural experimentation of Four Tet, and the sharp-edged energy of Confidence Man.

The track’s concept traces back to an unlikely source: the snooker documentary Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything. The act of chalking a cue, seemingly minor, almost ritualistic, becomes a metaphor for chaos theory, where the smallest adjustments can tip the balance between success and failure.

That idea carries into Szmierek’s own experience navigating the music industry, where momentum can hinge on details that feel both insignificant and decisive.

Decoding Birdsong follows Szmierek’s 2025 release Service Station at the End of the Universe, a record that marked a turning point in his trajectory. In the time since, he has moved from cult recognition into a wider spotlight, appearing at Glastonbury Festival, performing on Later... with Jools Holland, and receiving consistent support from BBC Radio 6 Music, including being named Artist of the Year in 2023 following his Poems To Dance To EP.

Before that rise, Szmierek worked as an English teacher for students with special needs, a background that still informs the directness and emotional clarity of his writing, even as his sound leans further into electronic and club spaces.

Known for performances often described as communal or near-spiritual experiences, Szmierek is now bringing his live show to the U.S. for the first time, following a run of European dates and major festival appearances. Earlier this year, he performed to a crowd of 20,000 while closing shows for Solomun at Alexandra Palace.

The upcoming run opens in Chicago on May 7 at Schubas before moving through Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, marking his first series of headline shows across the U.S. The tour continues across Europe with stops in Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Luxembourg, alongside festival appearances including Sziget Festival and Boomtown, before returning to the UK this autumn for a headline run that includes London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town and Manchester Academy.

With “Chalk,” Szmierek continues to refine a sound that sits at the intersection of introspection and movement, where spoken word meets dancefloor catharsis. If the single is any indication, Decoding Birdsong expands that balance further, building on the momentum of his recent rise while maintaining the distinct voice that set him apart in the first place.

Antony Szmierek online