Single Review: Antony Szmierek – The Heron

THE HERON

If you’ve been paying attention over the last couple of years, you’ll know Antony Szmierek isn’t your typical indie frontman. The poet, producer and storytelling Manchester lad has carved out his own lane somewhere between dancefloor euphoria and late-night philosophy. With new single ‘The Heron‘, he’s back doing exactly what he does best, turning everyday moments into something strangely profound.

Premiered on Lauren Laverne’s show on BBC Radio 6 Music, ‘The Heron‘ is the first new music from Antony Szmierek since his debut album ‘Service Station At The End Of The Universe‘, a record that quietly exploded and sent him from cult favourite to festival mainstay.

Musically, the track leans into shimmering, disco-tinged house grooves, there’s a looping piano line doing the heavy lifting, a bassline that refuses to quit and that spoken-word delivery that’s become Szmierek’s calling card. It’s the sort of tune that feels just as at home blasting out of a sweaty club at 2am as it does soundtracking a solitary walk with your headphones in but as always, it’s the words that really pull you in.

Inspired by a heron he kept spotting along the banks of the River Mersey, ‘The Heron‘ plays with the idea of existing between two worlds. The bird becomes an unlikely guru of sorts, symbolising patience, stillness and keeping your head above the chaos of modern life. In the hands of Antony Szmierek, that quiet observation turns into something oddly uplifting, like a sermon delivered from the smoking area of a nightclub.

There’s a proper groove to it too, produced alongside longtime collaborator Max Rad, the track blends house rhythms with indie sensibilities in a way that feels effortless rather than forced. It’s slick without losing the rough-around-the-edges charm that’s made Szmierek such a compelling voice.

And the timing makes sense, since dropping his debut album, Antony Szmierek has been on a proper whirlwind, playing everywhere from Glastonbury Festival to Reading and Leeds, hitting the international circuit at SXSW and Eurosonic Noorderslag and even making his TV debut on Later… with Jools Holland. Not bad for someone who not long ago was just scribbling poetry and grafting away in Manchester.

‘The Heron‘ feels like the next chapter rather than a reinvention, big beats, the same sharp tongue and a reminder that dance music can still have a bit of soul knocking about under the surface.

In a world of algorithm-fed playlists and throwaway trends, Antony Szmierek is still doing things his own way, one poetic house banger at a time.