Dead Letters is the new album from Aqualung - aka songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Matt Hales - his first in more than seven years. Aqualung first came to attention in 2002 when the debut single 'Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put A Spell On You)' became a surprise UK Top 10 after being discovered via a Volkswagen Beetle advert. While that song created a magnetic allure, the strength and versatility of Hales' songwriting further enamoured audiences. The debut self-titled Aqualung album reached Gold status in recognition of over 100,000 domestic sales, while the brighter symphonic scope of his second album, 'Still Life', led to another chart hit with 'Brighter Than Sunshine'. By the time Aqualung's third album, 'Memory Man' emerged, glowing comparisons had been made with everyone from Bacharach to Radiohead via The Beach Boys, while his music has featured in 'Twilight', 'Gossip Girl' and 'Grey's Anatomy'. Collaborating with all kinds of artists - including Lianne La Havas, Bat For Lashes, Mika, Tom Chaplin, Jason Mraz, For King & Country and countless others - Hales' hectic yet immensely rewarding schedule resulted in huge acclaim, including both an Ivor Novello and a Grammy. No wonder, then, that aside from occasionally briefly resurfacing, Aqualung remained in hibernation. Hales says, When I need to work something out I write a song. When I'm overwhelmed by a feeling I write a song. When there's something I need to say but can't say it, I write a song. There were things I needed to say and songs I needed to write for myself and once we were home and the piano was there, I started writing them. At some point I realised these songs were all letters, but not necessarily to be sent. Dead letters.
Release date:
November 25, 2022
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
-
Vinyl Care - Top Picks
A selection of accesories to keep your turntable equipment & vinyl records in the best shape
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Dayseeker Creature In The Black Night (Gray)
Spinefarm
October 24, 2025 -
Atmosphere Jestures [2xLP]
Rhymesayers
September 19, 2025 -
Tame Impala Deadbeat [2xLP]
Columbia Records Group
October 17, 2025 -
Drain ...is Your Friend
Epitaph
November 7, 2025 -
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Gush
Nettwerk Records
September 12, 2025 -
Tribal Gaze Inveighing Brilliance (Green Swirl)
Nuclear Blast
October 17, 2025 -
Nailed to Obscurity Generation Of The Void (Clear, Light Rose & Black Marbled) [2xLP]
Nuclear Blast
October 3, 2025 -
Mariah Carey Here For It All
Gamma.
September 26, 2025 -
Jerskin Fendrix Once Upon A Time. . . In Shropshire (Shropspire Mud Brown) [2xLP]
Untitled (Recs)
October 10, 2025 -
Tedeschi Trucks Band/Leon Russell Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited: Live At LOCKN' [2xLP]
Fantasy
September 12, 2025 -
Whiskey Myers Whomp Whack Thunder [2xLP]
Wiggy Thump Records
September 26, 2025 -
I See Stars The Wheel
Sumerian Records
September 12, 2025 -
Bone Church Deliverance (Lavender Marble)
Ripple Music
October 24, 2025 -
NewDad Altar
Atlantic
September 19, 2025