Brighton-based quartet School Disco have announced details of their fourth studio album, School Disco SDIV, alongside the release of their mesmerising new single, ‘Simulation III’, out now via Krautpop! Records.
A distinctive fusion of prog and jazz flavours, ‘Simulation III’ encapsulates the unique musical world of SDIV. The track unfolds through a shuffling 6/8 groove, intricate guitar interplay and distant, spectral vocals, all steeped in the band’s unmistakable psychedelic sensibilities. As it develops, the song slips into a downtempo haze of fuzzy synths before surging into a sporadic, climactic guitar solo — a journey that feels both haunting and buoyant. Balancing a vivid 1970s analogue warmth with a sharp modern edge, the track’s tight 3:33 runtime makes it one of School Disco’s most focused and immediate releases to date.
Speaking about the new single, frontman Laurence Underwood explains that ‘Simulation III’ came out real quick. “I was meant to put a different song forward, then this one sort of just presented itself. It sounded menacing to me, so I thought I’d have to match that with the lyrics. At the time, I was seeing a lot of people online talking about ‘the simulation’ and thought that the idea of actually believing that is pretty funny. Pair that with rewatching the Matrix movies and there you go, a song about living in a simulation.”
The announcement of SDIV marks an exciting new chapter for a band known for their high-octane live shows and textural, experimental soundscapes. Having shared stages with Wolf Alice, Froth, and Lime Garden, School Disco have steadily carved out a space as one of the UK psych scene’s most dynamic and musically adventurous acts.
Recorded at Farm Road Studios, the album was engineered by Jake Smallwood and Rory Lethbridge, and mastered by Harry Hayes (School Disco, Roebucks). Tracked mostly live with minimal overdubs, SDIV captures the raw chemistry and spontaneity that define the band’s sound. The record finds them exploring heavier, darker, and more meditative territories, drawing inspiration from Black Sabbath, CAN, and the worlds of sci-fi and horror, while still rooted in personal introspection.
Following praise and airplay from BBC Radio 6 Music (New Music Fix) and Radio X (X-Posure), and fresh off tours supporting Bo Ningen, Population II, and Frankie and the Witch Fingers, School Disco continue to expand their cult following — and SDIV promises to be their most ambitious and complete statement yet.
With SDIV, School Disco embark on a bold new phase — fusing heavy psych jams, expansive soundscapes, and progressive structures into a sonic realm that’s as immersive as it is unpredictable.
‘Simulation III’ is out now on all platforms via Krautpop!, with School Disco SDIV set to follow soon.