Parker Barrow announce new sophomore album Hold the Mash and release new single “Blinded” ahead of Summer 2026 U.S. and U.K. tours.
So, as I sit here on my lunch break enjoying (if that is the right word) a sandwich and a Shaken Udder milkshake, it seems like the perfect time to slip on the headphones and give this new single a spin.
I’ll share the press release with you before telling you what I thought of the track:
The song is part of the band’s highly anticipated sophomore album Hold the Mash, due for release on Friday, July 17th.
A random encounter in 2019 paired Kane with Turner, who was on the hunt for a new singer. Two weeks later, they were on the road together, driven by one goal: making their musical dreams a reality. In 2023, Parker Barrow expanded with the full-time inclusion of guitarist and musical director Alex Bender. Turner lays down a heavy groove while Kane’s electrifying, soulful vocals soar above it. Bender’s inventive riffs and fiery playing pull it all together, creating Parker Barrow’s signature sound. The band is rounded out by Will Tipton (guitar), Kyle Priber (bass guitar), and Eric Safka (keyboards).
“Blinded” was written by Parker Barrow drummer and founder Dylan Turner, along with guitarist and musical director Alex Bender. The band will be on the road across the U.S. for much of the summer before heading to the U.K. in July for their first headline tour, alongside performances at the Steelhouse and Maid of Stone festivals.
“It was one of the first tracks written and recorded for the new album,” says Bender. “It helped give direction to where we wanted to go with the songs that followed. The main riff sounds very Stonesy—I approached the rhythm parts how I imagine Keith Richards would play them if he were in the band. ‘Blinded’ is a great example of the ‘less is more’ approach, where the beauty lies in its simplicity.”
On the lyrics, Turner adds: “It’s so easy for us as musicians to be enthralled by the world we live in, seeking validation from likes and comments that feed the flesh rather than the spirit. I wrote this as a reminder to myself to first seek the kingdom and not forget the bigger purpose.”
Parker Barrow are led by husband-and-wife duo Megan Kane (lead vocals) and Dylan Turner (drums). The band name is taken from Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow—the infamous American bank robbers of the early 1930s Great Depression.
My Review:
The single was released on April 29, 2026.
So… this is a solid piece of funky pop rock. It has a killer chorus—immediately one you can clap along to or shake your thing to (whatever grabs you!). The drumbeat provides a strong heartbeat, and the vocal performance is pure fun, with Megan clearly enjoying herself and showing off a fair range of vocal pyrotechnics.
“The longer that we’re living, truth becomes harder to find,” the song tells us, in a track that is lyrically ruminative yet musically bright. If this is the tone-setter for Hold the Mash, Parker Barrow aren’t just back—they’re dialed in, and ready to make some serious noise.
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You can stream music from Parker Barrow here
Artist website here
By Lorraine Foley
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July 2026 sees Parker Barrow on tour in the UK with our friend Georgia Nevada. Tour Info here:
The Gig Cartel and Planet Rock
Presents
PARKER BARROW
JULY 2026 UK TOUR
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
PLANET ROCK & THEGIGCARTEL.COM
FROME, TREEHOUSE
FRIDAY 17 JULY 2026
Tickets: thegigcartel.com
35 Berkley Road, Frome, BA11 2EH
www.cheeseandgrain.com
STOWMARKET, JOHN PEEL CENTRE
SATURDAY 18 JULY 2026
Tickets: thegigcartel.com
Church Walk, Stowmarket, IP14 1ET
https://johnpeelcentre.com/JohnPeelCentre.dll/Home
MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL
SUNDAY 19 JULY 2026
Tickets: Box Office
Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent
https://maidofstonefestival.com
GLASGOW, AUDIO
TUESDAY 21 JULY 2026
Tickets: thegigcartel.com
14 Midland St, Glasgow, G1 4PP
https://audioglasgow.co.uk
SHEFFIELD GREYSTONES
WEDNESDAY 22 JULY 2026
Tickets: thegigcartel.com
Greystones Road, Sheffield, S11 7BS
https://www.mygreystones.co.uk
LEEK, FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE
THURSDAY 23 JULY 2026
Tickets: thegigcartel.com
Stockwell St, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6AD
www.foxloweartscentre.org.uk
STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL
FRIDAY 24 JULY 2026
Tickets: Box Office
Ebbw Vale, Wales, NP13 2ER
www.steelhousefestival.com