English Teacher

English Teacher formed in Leeds in 2019, Lily Fontaine, Lewis Whiting, Nicholas Eden, and Douglas Frost developing a sound rooted in post-punk and art rock that was immediately distinctive. Fontaine's lyrics — sharp, literary, and emotionally complex — drew comparisons to Sleater-Kinney and The Fall while sounding entirely their own. Their early singles generated significant critical excitement.

Their debut album 'This Could Be Texas' (2024) on Island Records was one of the most acclaimed British debuts in years, winning the Mercury Prize and confirming them as one of the most important new acts in British music. The album's combination of angular post-punk, melodic hooks, and Fontaine's extraordinary lyrical intelligence made it a record that rewarded repeated listening.

English Teacher are one of the most exciting British bands of their generation — a band with genuine artistic ambition and the songwriting gifts to match. Their Mercury Prize win brought them to a wider audience, and the expectation around their second album is considerable. They represent the best of what contemporary British indie rock can be. ⚠ Flag: post-2024 activity — verify any releases or announcements since the Mercury Prize.