san is the second full length album from London’s smallgang. Twelve songs written equally between brothers Simon and Toshi Kobayashi, and arranged as a group. Recorded at One Cat Studio by Jon Clayton and Mastered by Matthew Barnhart at Chicago Mastering Service.

After dropping their entire back catalogue and carving out a new set of songs following the departure of original bassist Ruth Atkins, these bolder, harder and heavier songs were honed and refined over a flurry of live shows across the UK, as well as intensive rehearsal. The resulting album is testament to a reinvigorated, more focused and more confident band. Simon moves from Guitar to playing assertive Bass, bolstering the power of Matt’s prowling drums, and Toshi’s minimalist, impressionist guitar lines evokes the albums darker tones, and create a sound that is taut, spacious, prickly and cathartic.

Guest appearances from friends Gill Sandell (Emily Baker and the Red Clay Halo), Jen Macro (Something Beginning With L, My Bloody Valentine), Ritsuko Taneda (Shonen Knife) and Jon Fine (Bitch Magnet) add subtle nuances and an alternate dimension to the lead baritones of the brothers.