Math-rock innovators Maebe are pleased to announce that their third album, Brain Paint, will be released on 22nd May 2026 via Ripcord Records, alongside revealing energetic new single lower case song title, out now.
The quintet will play a run of spring/summer 2026 UK tour dates in support of the release, including an appearance at this year’s RADAR Festival in Manchester, with tickets on sale now and further live dates to be announced.
Brain Paint is a celebration of everything instrumental rock: frenetic math wigouts, post-rock’s cresting waves, the melodic shred of modern guitar masters. And it has hooks for days.
“I’ve been obsessed with instrumental guitar music for over half my life, but the artists that have stayed with me all have one thing in common: melody,” says Maebe leader and guitar virtuoso Mike Astley-Brown. “It’s not enough to just provide a soundscape – it’s the hooks that hit the heart and rattle round the brain. And I think we’ve nailed that with this album.”
Maebe began as a bedroom solo project alongside Mike’s guitar journalist day job. His debut was released with no fanfare, no promotion. It was a passion project, just to see if his ideas were worth a damn.
Six years on, Maebe has evolved into one of the UK’s most exciting math-rock prospects and their new album Brain Paint marks the recording debut of the band’s five-piece lineup, bottling the intense performances that have won over audiences in opening slots for the likes of Intervals, Alpha Male Tea Party and Standards, as well as a packed-out stage at ArcTanGent Festival.
Maebe recreate their dense, multi-layered recordings fully live: no loops, no backing tracks. Just five music nerds playing for their lives.
In bandmates Nic, Pat, Will and Duncan, Mike found like-minded individuals who spoke the same musical language, and lent their own light and shade to what would become Brain Paint. The result is the best Maebe record to date.
“This is one of the most ambitious and immediate instrumental albums of the year,” Mike says. “I have a habit of playing down my musical achievements. Not this time.”
Maebe’s third album Brain Paint is released on 22 May 2026 via Ripcord Records
Live Dates:
28 May – The Exchange, Bristol
29 May – The Rainbow, Birmingham
30 May – The Fickle Pickle, Southend
25 June – Wharf Chambers, Leeds
26 June – JT Soar, Nottingham
02 August – Radar Festival, Manchester