Transatlantic folk collective The Wellermen are set to take a major step forward with the announcement of their new album, Homeward Bound, arriving on 12th March. Marking the group’s first full-length collection of original, self-written material, the 13-track record sees the five-piece draw on their diverse musical backgrounds to create a collection rooted in traditional folk storytelling, rich harmonies and contemporary songwriting.
The Wellermen
The announcement arrives alongside the release of new single Samhain, a haunting, atmospheric track that showcases the band’s distinctive vocal blend against a richly textured folk arrangement. Named after the ancient Gaelic harvest festival traditionally associated with the origins of Halloween, the song explores the encounter between a traveller and a witches’ coven, with an alluring but dangerous love at its centre.
Seb Payne explains: “Named after the ancient Gaelic harvest festival that turned into modern day Halloween, it follows a person who happens to stumble across a witches’ coven (which was the original title of the song). They are mystified and enchanted by a woman involved in the ritual, who quickly takes possession over him, heart and soul.”
The accompanying music video brings the track’s folk-horror atmosphere to life through a surreal visual narrative. Featuring the mysterious figure depicted on the album artwork, whose face is concealed by an old-fashioned diving helmet, the film follows an increasingly unsettling encounter with a captivating dancer. As the song develops, the characters transform into ever more disturbing forms, reflecting the tension and enchantment at the heart of the story.
Homeward Bound brings together a wide range of influences reflecting the individual personalities and musical histories of The Wellermen. From cowboy ballads, bluegrass and Appalachian folk to the songwriting traditions of Nick Drake and Richard Thompson, the album moves between stories of adventure, romance, longing and self-discovery. Its songs have the timeless quality of traditional tales passed between generations, while remaining unmistakably personal to the musicians behind them.
The record’s origins date back to 2025, when the band found themselves with a week away from touring following a show in Ohio. Taking the opportunity to escape to a cabin in the woods, the five members began writing together. What started as an informal creative break quickly developed into a much bigger project as they discovered a shared songwriting identity and a collection of material that naturally belonged together.
Among its 13 tracks, Captain Caroline tells the tale of a pirate ship’s cat, while Mom I’m Going captures the excitement and uncertainty of taking a leap of faith and setting out on an independent path. Starlings, written by Sam Pope after witnessing a murmuration in Brighton, is described as a distinctly British composition, while Weeping Willow, penned by Pennsylvania-born Luke Taylor, explores loneliness and doubt through the imagery of a classic cowboy ballad. The album closes with its title track, Homeward Bound, an evocative reflection on homesickness and the enduring pull of home.
Jonny Stewart says: “It’s an album that is true to us as people and our tastes. We all contain multitudes but if you had to put us in a box, Luke Taylor is the country boy, Sam Pope is the sea shanty-loving pirate, Seb Payne is the mystic, Bobby Waters is the metal bass and I’m the Celt. We can see each other in each of the songs, but we’ve synthesised it all to be The Wellermen.”
The album represents a significant development for a group whose story began in 2021, when Scottish singer Nathan Evans recorded himself performing the traditional sea shanty Wellerman. The recording became a viral sensation on TikTok, inspiring countless musicians and listeners to contribute their own interpretations. As the sea shanty phenomenon gathered momentum, The Wellermen emerged from that online community, bringing together singers and musicians from across the UK and North America.
Their self-titled debut album was recorded remotely, with the members working from their individual home studios before they had even met in person. Their first performance together took place aboard a cruise ship, where the enthusiastic response from an audience singing the shanties back to them confirmed that the online connection could translate into something equally powerful on stage.
Since then, The Wellermen have grown into an international touring act, amassing more than 270 million streams and selling out multiple tours across the UK and US. Their performances have taken them to major events and venues, including Murrayfield Stadium for the Scotland v England Six Nations fixture, The BRIT Awards and the BBC Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Their music has also attracted attention from US television personalities Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers and John Oliver.
With Homeward Bound, the band now move beyond the traditional material and sea shanties that first brought them together, presenting an original collection that draws on their varied influences while retaining the communal spirit and storytelling that have defined their rise. The result promises a broader picture of the five musicians, united by a shared appreciation for songs that feel as though they have been part of the folk tradition for generations.
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