#228. Will Varley Breaks Down New Album ‘Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me’

The XS Noize Podcast

In Episode #228 of the XS Noize Music Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by English singer-songwriter Will Varley to discuss his upcoming seventh album, Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me, out 30th May 2025.

Recorded in a ramshackle Kent swamp studio with longtime collaborator Tom Farrer, the album introduces a bold new sound, pairing lush, cinematic production with Varley’s trademark storytelling. Inspired by the East Kent Coast and US Midwest, the songs explore broken relationships, life on the road, and mental resilience against global uncertainty.

Featuring guest appearances from Billy Bragg, Eleni Drake, and Dan Smith of Bastille, the album captures the tension between everyday life and the looming sense of apocalypse — while still searching for light and hope.

In this conversation, Will talks about the making of the album, his evolving creative process, and why storytelling still matters in uncertain times.

Highlights include: Writing and recording in Kent and the US Midwest, Collaborating with Billy Bragg, Eleni Drake & Dan Smith, Touring life, mental health, reinvention, and A new sonic chapter for Varley. Listen to episode #228 of the XS Noize Podcast with Will Varley – BELOW:

Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.