20 years on from releasing three consecutive EPs in 1997 (Dog On Wheels, Lazy Line Painter Jane, and 3.. 6.. 9 Seconds of Light), Belle and Sebastian will release three new EPs under the umbrella title How to Solve our Human Problems, with the first EP out on 8 Dec, the second on 19 Jan, and the third on 16 Feb. The trilogy will be released as individual EPs, available in both vinyl and digital formats, culminating in a compilation CD and limited edition vinyl box set containing all three EPs, with the option of a box just for EP3 for those who have already purchased the first two.

To celebrate this announcement, Belle and Sebastian have revealed a new song, I’ll Be Your Pilot, which can be found on EP2. The single’s subject is Stuart Murdoch’s young son, Denny: “Having your first kid is a huge event, so I wrapped a lot of things I felt about Denny into the song. Being a dad made me feel a little like the pilot in The Little Prince, hence all the references to the Sahara!”

One thing that has defined Belle and Sebastian over the years has been their relationship with fans, and that’s apparent in the new EPs. For the three sleeves, the group issued a call to fans to come to be photographed by Murdoch at a studio in Belsize Park in North London. The EP covers can be found below along with each of the EP's tracklistings.





How to Solve our Human Problems Part 1

1. Sweet Dew Lee

2. We Were Beautiful

3. Fickle Season

4. The Girl Doesn’t Get It

5. Everything is Now

Released via Matador, 8 Dec. Pre-order here.







How to Solve our Human Problems Part 2

1. Show Me The Sun

2. Same Star

3. I’ll Be Your Pilot

4. Cornflakes

5. A Plague on all Other Boys

Released via Matador, 19 Jan. Pre-order here.







How to Solve our Human Problems Part 3

1. Poor Boy

2. Everything is Now (Part Two)

3. Too Many Tears

4. There is an Everlasting Song

5. Best Friend

Released via Matador, 16 Feb. Pre-order here.

2018 UK Tour Dates:

6 Mar – Truro Hall, Cornwall

8 Mar – Millenium Centre, Cardiff

9 Mar – Arts Centre, Aberystwyth

10 Mar – Rock City, Nottingham

12 Mar – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

13 Mar – Corn Exchange, Cambridge

15 Mar – Dome, Brighton

16 Mar – Troxy, London

17 Mar – Troxy, London

19 Mar – Philharmonic, Liverpool

20 Mar – Opera House, York

22 Mar – Sage, Gateshead

23 Mar – Concert Hall, Perth

24 Mar – Usher Hall, Edinburgh

26 Mar – Vicar St, Dublin

27 Mar – Vicar St, Dublin