"Giants of All Sizes" is the eighth studio album by British alternative rock band Elbow, released on Polydor Records on 11 October 2019. The album features a darker lyrical tone compared to previous works, with frontman Guy Garvey addressing themes related to Brexit, the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, and personal losses, including the deaths of his father and two close friends. It received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, marking Elbow's third consecutive chart-topping studio album.
The album's creation was profoundly influenced by the personal losses the band experienced. Garvey's father, Don, passed away from lung cancer in March 2018, followed by the sudden deaths of friends Scott Alexander and Jan Oldenburg in October 2018. These events inspired the album's darker themes, with Garvey noting the emotional weight behind the music.
Songs like "Dexter & Sinister" reference the sharp societal divisions in the UK, particularly concerning the Brexit debate. The track "The Delayed 3:15" tells a haunting story of a suicide that disrupted Garvey's train journey, reflecting on the tragedy's bleakness. Other songs, such as "White Noise White Heat," express anger towards the neglect that led to the Grenfell Tower fire, while "Empires" contemplates global suffering and political disillusionment.
Despite its heavy themes, the album seeks solace in personal relationships. Tracks like "My Trouble" and "On Deronda Road" pay tribute to Garvey's wife and son, emphasizing the comfort found in family amidst grief.
The album cover features a stock photograph of a crowded Chinese swimming pool, intended to showcase a range of human emotions and interactions. Garvey explained the choice of imagery was to depict the diversity of experiences.
The first single, "Dexter & Sinister," was released online on 1 August 2019, followed by the announcement of the album's release on 11 October. Additional singles, including "Empires" and "White Noise White Heat," were shared in the lead-up to the album's launch. In celebration of National Album Day, a special "don't skip" CD version featuring the entire album as a single track was released.
The album solidified Elbow's reputation for tackling profound themes with poignant songwriting and emotive soundscapes, continuing their legacy in the British music scene.
