Pressgang Mutiny have never been content to let sea shanties gather dust. The Toronto quartet’s new single, ‘Old Mick,‘ proves they’re still finding fresh angles on a centuries-old form.
The track, lifted from their upcoming album Departure (out March 13 via Slammin Media), takes the bones of a traditional capstan song and dresses it in modern production. Four-part harmonies stack thick beats. It’s an interesting experiment. The energy is undeniable and the vocal arrangements remain the band’s strongest asset.
I’ll be honest, though, this one lands differently depending on your preferences. If you’ve followed Pressgang Mutiny through their back catalogue, you’ll know these lads can absolutely tear it up and land great songs. ‘Old Mick’ sounds like a shanty with a digital beat behind it.
That said, Departure promises to be their most ambitious project yet. The album features collaborations with reggae legend Carl Harvey of Toots and the Maytals, dancehall artist Sunray Grennan, and Toronto hip-hop artist Matt Somber. It’s a bold statement about where shanties came from and where they might go, tracing the African-American and Afro-Caribbean roots that shaped the tradition in the first place.
What gives Pressgang Mutiny credibility is that these aren’t musicians cosplaying maritime life. Richard Kott, James McKie, Tim Pyron, and Stefan Read are actual tall ship sailors who’ve handled lines and sails. They’ve spent twelve years travelling the world, collecting songs from the people who still sing them. That authenticity runs through everything they do.
Departure arrives March 13, 2026, with extensive UK touring planned for the summer including Sidmouth Folk Week and Whitby Folk Week.
