Boston royalty has gone global. Couch, the seven-piece retro-pop/soul collective that’s long ruled the local scene with their horn-laced grooves, has announced their debut full-length album, Big Talk, due out this fall. The first single, “What Were You Thinking,” is out now. It’s a rich, emotionally-charged groove that sets the tone for what looks to be the band’s most ambitious chapter yet.

And in true Couch fashion, they’re not doing it small. Alongside the single and album announcement comes a sprawling 36-city international headline tour, with stops at iconic venues like Brooklyn Steel, The Fonda, 9:30 Club, and a particularly sweet hometown milestone – headlining Roadrunner on November 22, just a year after opening for Cory Wong at that same venue. For Boston music fans, that’s more than just a tour date. That’s a big deal.

As someone who’s followed Couch since their early days, this moment feels like watching your favorite indie film finally get the red carpet treatment. They’ve always been a band best experienced live, where the chemistry between bandmates feels more like chosen family than hired hands. But if “What Were You Thinking” is any indication, Big Talk might just be the first Couch recording that actually feels like Couch. Bold, vibrant, real.

Recorded with a live-first mindset after a run of massive support slots with Lake Street Dive and Cory Wong, Big Talk leans into the band’s strengths: electric live instrumentation, emotionally rich songwriting, and a horn section that knows exactly when to punch. The record was mastered by Colin Leonard (Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, H.E.R.) and reflects what guitarist Zach Blankstein describes as “our reflection on multidimensional love – romantic, platonic, self-love – and the kind of bold, honest connection that comes from shedding small talk and saying what you really mean.”

That spirit comes through loud and clear on “What Were You Thinking.” Lead vocalist and songwriter Tema Siegel turns a messy, on-again-off-again relationship with an older musician into a confident, clear-eyed anthem. “I’m standing up for myself in a way that I couldn’t then,” she says. “I’m speaking to him like a peer and letting him know he was completely out of line.” 

Since their remote-writing origins between high school and college friends, Couch has grown into something rare: a truly self-made band with a sound that’s both throwback and forward-facing. Their live reputation has earned them spots at Boston Calling, Levitate, and beyond, but Big Talk is poised to be the thing that launches them from regional darlings to national mainstays.

Whether you’ve been watching from the beginning or are just now tuning in, Big Talk promises to be the loudest, boldest version of Couch yet.

Listen to “What Were You Thinking” now, and don’t miss Couch on tour this fall across North America and into Europe. Tickets and full tour dates available at couchtheband.com/tour.

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