There’s something quietly powerful about an artist who creates space for both pain and beauty to exist in the same breath. Marc Burford has spent the past year doing exactly that, working from his Sunrise Sound Studio in Hampshire to craft Hope and Heart, a debut solo album that refuses to choose between darkness and light.
The 12-track record, arriving October 17, 2025, draws from the wells of Neil Young, Mumford & Sons, Ry X, and Bob Dylan while carving out territory that’s distinctly Burford’s own. It’s not about manufactured optimism or performative vulnerability. Instead, these songs sit with difficult emotions and find something honest on the other side.
“This album is about finding light even in the darkest times,” Burford says. “It’s about holding on to hope, embracing the journey, and allowing music to be a space where pain and beauty can co-exist.”
A few tracks have already surfaced that hint at what’s coming. The title track “Hope and Heart” and “Sweetest Summer” join “Leopards” as early highlights available now via his website for those curious about what Burford’s been building. “Leopards,” co-written with lyricist Katt Brown, layers acoustic guitar, glockenspiel, piano, and ethereal harmonies into something that feels both intimate and expansive. Burford’s vocals, often compared to Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes, carry the kind of warmth that makes introspective material feel accessible rather than insular.
The record thrives on collaboration. Charles Bueller appears on one track, while the closing song “Worlds Apart” brings in Clint Godwin for a co-write and performance that examines connection and separation with real weight. Performances from Burford’s circle of musician friends give the album a lived-in quality, like catching fragments of conversations that mattered.
Burford’s background adds depth to where this album sits in his trajectory. He fronted indie rock band Echotape, secured over 10 million streams, and landed placements on Brooklyn 99, Sky News, and in stores like Topshop and River Island. The Tate Modern and Tate Britain featured his work. Pete Doherty and Carl Barât of The Libertines invited him to support their 20th Anniversary European tour. BBC Radio 2 and Radio X have given him airplay.
He’s not slowing down either. Between writing material for his next album, composing children’s songs for Tiny Totz Kids, and scoring a horror film, Burford keeps moving. Upcoming performances include shows in Las Vegas at the F1. But Hope and Heart feels like the kind of record that doesn’t rush past itself. It sits with what’s difficult and embraces what’s true, staying faithful to Burford’s vision that music can hold both pain and beauty in equal measure.
Hope and Heart releases October 17 on all streaming platforms. Pre-save the album here or stream what’s released now.
Connect with Marc Burford on Instagram, visit his website, or find all his links at Linktree.
