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In 1996, The Wedding Present veered into new territory with the release of Mini, an EP of six songs, each linked thematically to the open road and the art of driving. Almost three decades later, frontman David Gedge has decided it\u2019s time to rev the engine again. On 5 December, the band will deliver Maxi, a brand-new six-track collection cut from the same conceptual cloth but with an altogether more expansive sound.<\/strong><\/p>\n Maxi will be available on clear 10\u201d vinyl and CD, and is already open for pre-orders through Scopitones, the group\u2019s own label. The new release follows quickly on the heels of 40, a sprawling four-vinyl, four-CD retrospective capturing highlights from the band\u2019s catalogue. Fittingly, the final track on 40 is \u201cHot Wheels\u201d \u2013 one of the standout cuts from Maxi, giving fans an early taste of the band\u2019s latest creative gear shift.<\/p>\n While Mini was known for its tight, indie-rock immediacy, Maxi takes the same road trip premise and heads into broader sonic landscapes. Much of this evolution, Gedge suggests, is down to the fresh energy brought in by guitarist Rachael Wood, who joined the group shortly before the writing process began.<\/p>\n The record kicks off with \u201cScream, If You Want To Go Faster\u201d, a slow-burning, post-rock opener that gradually accelerates before handing the wheel to the riff-heavy \u201cGrand Prix\u201d. Together, they set a dynamic tone that differs from The Wedding Present\u2019s classic style while still keeping their DNA intact.<\/p>\n The heart of the EP arrives with \u201cHot Wheels\u201d and \u201cTwo For The Road\u201d, tracks that carry the unmistakable urgency of Gedge\u2019s guitar work and lyrical directness. These songs shine a headlight on matters of love, longing and human connection \u2013 themes that have always been at the centre of The Wedding Present\u2019s best work.<\/p>\n \u201cInterceptor\u201d brings a darker, bass-driven mood before the guitars roar back into focus, reconnecting with the post-rock textures that open the record. The journey concludes with \u201cSilver Shadow\u201d, a sprawling closer that ebbs and flows in tempo, balancing intimacy with elation in a way that only Gedge seems able to write.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I said in my sleeve notes for 40,\u201d Gedge explains, \u201cthe songs we recorded for Maxi were written relatively quickly because I had felt particularly inspired, both lyrically with situations occurring in my life and musically, writing with the then recently-arrived Rachael. The resulting tracks feel bigger and moodier than we\u2019ve had for a while\u2026 and they\u2019re certainly feistier, thanks to The Wedding Present\u2019s new rock queen and her armoury of guitars and pedals!\u201d<\/p>\n That \u201cfeistiness\u201d can be felt across all six songs, which manage to blend the band\u2019s knack for sharp indie rock with a more cinematic sensibility.<\/p>\n The release of Maxi is perfectly timed with The Wedding Present\u2019s milestone 40th anniversary. To celebrate, the band are heading out on a tour of the UK and Ireland in September and October, bringing with them special guests including Mozart Estate, The Loft, Belle & Chain and West Wickhams.<\/p>\n The Wedding Present are an English indie rock band formed in Leeds in 1985, led by singer and guitarist David Gedge, who has remained the group\u2019s central figure throughout their long career. Emerging from the mid-80s independent scene, they quickly established themselves with fast-paced guitars, raw energy and sharp, emotionally charged lyrics about relationships and heartbreak.<\/p>\n Their debut album George Best in 1987 drew widespread acclaim and set the tone for their sound, energetic, jangly guitar work paired with Gedge\u2019s honest and often wry storytelling. By 1989, the follow-up Bizarro delivered their first UK Top 40 hit with the single \u201cKennedy\u201d, marking the band as a force in the alternative rock landscape.<\/p>\n