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Dave Returns With Third Album 'The Boy Who Played the Harp' to Strong Early Reviews

An introspective set uses biblical imagery with sparse piano to examine fame, duty, complicity.

Overview

  • Released on October 24, 2025, the 10-track, roughly 48-minute album arrived without advance singles as a unified statement.
  • Critics describe a sparse, piano-led sound that foregrounds long-form storytelling, with early notices from The Times (four stars) and others praising its lyricism and focus.
  • Guests include James Blake, Tems, Kano, Jim Legxacy and Nicole Blakk, whose appearance on “Fairchild” anchors a widely noted critique of rape culture and male complicity.
  • The project threads references to the Book of Samuel to explore power, purpose and moral responsibility, extending themes from Dave’s earlier work.
  • Label and industry materials report that Dave produced or co-produced nine of the ten tracks and announced a 17-date European arena tour for February–March 2026, including multiple O2 Arena shows in London.