Girl In The Year Above have signed to Transgressive Records and shared their first single for the label, ‘Wet Paint’ – listen below.
The Irish/Cornish band announced their deal with Transgressive yesterday (September 21), following a breakthrough year that has seen them catch attention with a string of singles and celebrated live shows.
Today (September 22), they have followed the news with ‘Wet Paint’, a bright, melodic track that combines Celtic influences with driving piano, hooky guitar and frontwoman Jennifer Ball’s provocative vocals.
The band have said: “Through writing the lyrics of ‘Wet Paint’ together – Jen and Jeanie soon realised how painfully relatable this topic is, yet so rarely talked about. The song’s story starts lightly to draw the listener in until you gradually realise it is about consent. With a heavy topic it was important to us that the track still felt bright and powerful.”
“We hope it mimics the likeness of anyone who can relate to the track – in the sense that you are bright and powerful no matter what. We would love for this track to bring joy and defiance, feel free to shout/dance/laugh/weep etc.”
Check out the Dylan Friese-Greene-directed video here:
The signing was confirmed by Transgressive yesterday, with the band saying: “What the hell – how did we swindle that? We feel very, very lucky – Transgressive feels like a family already.”
The independent label – whose roster has included the likes of Foals, Arlo Parks, SOPHIE and Damon Albarn – described Girl In The Year Above as “a truly extraordinary and captivating band”.
“Their songs are at once heartbreaking and euphoric; empathetic and empowering; and always infectious,” the label said.
“It’s been years since we’ve seen a band so adept at writing unifying anthems that move, inspire and rouse in equal measure. They’re youthful visionaries and proper grafters – they’ve been on the road consistently, and every time you see them, it goes up yet another gear.”
They also confirmed that they have heard upcoming recordings from the group, adding: “We cannot wait for their debut album, and all that’s to follow.”
Girl In The Year Above first emerged earlier this year with a cover of Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’, recorded for the soundtrack to Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
The rendition received high-profile endorsements from both Cillian Murphy and Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja, with the latter describing it as “the most sublime, beautiful interpretation of that song that anyone has ever done”.
Their rise has also included an appearance at NME’s opening party for The Great Escape 2026, and a support slot for Courteeners at their huge Wythenshawe Park homecoming show last month.
Next month, the band will head out on their biggest UK and Ireland headline tour so far, including a show at London’s Village Underground on October 13. Tickets are available now here.
Girl In The Year Above’s 2026 headline dates are:
OCTOBER
11 – Nottingham, The Bodega
12 – Bristol, Exchange
13 – London, Village Underground
14 – Brighton, Hope & Ruin
16 – Liverpool, Arts Club Loft
17 – Manchester, NBHD Festival
18 – Glasgow, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
19 – Newcastle, Cluny 2
20 – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
22 – Leeds, Headrow House
25 – Dublin, Whelan’s
