PRESS RELEASE
NEW SINGLE: ‘What you trying to say’
available Friday 22 May 2026
Following up on their debut album a drop in the ocean’, local rock outfit The Whitley Lake Band are back with their brand new single, ‘What you trying to say’, arriving on all major streaming platforms on Friday, May 22nd.
After spending time throughout 2025 building up their live set and playing local gigs around their day jobs, the band decided it was time to shift their focus toward writing fresh material.
Without the rigid constraints of rehearsing fixed, two-hour sets, the process became entirely about getting into a room, jamming, and seeing what felt good. ‘What you trying to say’ was born directly out of one of those jam sessions and the need for Richie to get some whoooa whooa yeahs in a singalong anthemn that everyone can relate to.
A Relatable Take on Relationship Communication
Lyrically, the song tackles the frustrating, eternal cycle of miscommunication in relationships - delving into the second-guessing, defensive behaviours, and the universal struggle to figure out exactly what is going on from both sides.
Sonically, the track packages these everyday frustrations into an upbeat, high-energy package. Powered by a driving drum beat, a melodic bassline, and crisp, rhythmic guitars, the song builds into a soaring, infectious chorus that is already proving to be a fun, standout addition to their local live shows.
“It’s a stomping rock song born out of a simple jam session
and a desire for a big, relatable singalong moment.”
More Music on the Horizon
‘What You Trying To Say’ is just the first look at what the band has been working on. The track was recorded during a productive studio session that also yielded two further singles: ‘Ghosts of Whitley Lake’ and ‘Where Did You Go’. Both are slated for release later this year while writing for the band’s follow-up album continues.
This Autumn we performed at the incredibly awesaome LIVE and UNHEARD event at The Lighthouse, Poole. Read all about the evening here: https://www.rock-regeneration.co.uk/2025/10/ak-the-red-kites-the-whitley-lake-band-nia-nicholls/
Credit: Lynn Frances Photography
Wasted Years
Our own version of the iron maiden classic
Iron Maiden will always be a great inspiration - galloping riffs, massive vocals and soaring guitar solos melted together to create a rich tapestry of pure classic metal.
'Wasted Years' from the album 'Somewhere in time', was written by Adrian Smith after a tough year of touring and general fatigue within Iron Maiden.
This song always felt that the lyrics could relate to life's challenges and also the positives that are often staring you in the face.
So it began as a song The Whitley Lake Band would play at open-mic nights, also a warm up at practice with endless jams over the chord progression. Eventually, these jams sparked the creation of our own interpretation.
Martin adds dynamics with the drums, from soft acoustic beginnings, to the thunderous finalé, Richie pushes his vocals to build up to the outro instrumental and the whole time Luke pins it all together with a thumping bassline. This has evolved to become a personal live favourite for the band and is often greeted with knowing smiles and singalongs when they perform it.
https://www.rock-regeneration.co.uk/2025/02/single-wasted-years-by-the-whitley-lake-band/
LISTEN TO US ON THE RADIO https://player.autopod.xyz/1036601
Interview with Martin, Luke and Richie about the start of the band, influences and the method behind the song writing. Also 4 live acoustic songs. Thanks for having us Radio Wimborne :)
ALBUM REVIEW BY ROCK-REGENERATION
“With 10 ‘all killer, no filler’ tracks this collection comes with a recommendation to listen to them many times to get the most out of it and oh – make sure the volume is turned up to eleven!”
Read the full review…
https://www.rock-regeneration.co.uk/2024/07/cd-a-drop-in-the-ocean-by-the-whitley-lake-band/
