Setting the tone with an intricate, electric guitar soundscape, The SKBs open Hourglass with intrigue and the poignant lyrics, “See the lines cut stories on my face, each one a chapter I wouldn’t erase, the clock it whispers, but I don’t change, I don’t need gold, I don’t need fame, just a hand to hold…”
We immediately connect with the raw authenticity of the prose and the timeless rock soundscape that manifests. The poetic prowess and philosophical depth run deep with Hourglass, and there is no doubt that fans of early Garbage and Hole would be able to connect with what The SKBs are creating. The high emotional quotient of the chords is tangible, and we could imagine this being performed at a rock venue, but also a massive stadium. The track also holds an undeniable cinematic allure, perfect for a sync placement that reflects the philosophical depth of the message, perhaps a coming-of-age film like a recreation of Valley Girl.
Speaking on the release, Al Sharp, the band member who wrote the song, confesses, “Hourglass is about time – not chasing it, not fighting it, but learning to live inside it. It’s a reminder that life moves fast, but the people you share it with are what really matters.”
Formed in 2024, we learn that The SKBs are a UK rock collective built around Al Sharp, and featuring lead vocalist Sara Davey and drummer Leon Cave of Status Quo, alongside Ben Porteous Butler on keys and producer and multi-instrumentalist Tom Donovan, who also plays guitars and bass.
Hourglass serves as the first preview of The SKBs‘ upcoming album The Next Stop. The record will follow their debut album Where This Leads Us, which came out in April 2025. The band will also perform two live shows at Three Wise Monkeys in Colchester, UK, on 18 and 19 April 2026!
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Hourglass to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of The SKBs, including The Whale Edge, and Everything Must Change.