Susie Long
Susie (she/her) is a freelance writer from Cornwall. She is based in Bristol, where she is studying for her Masters in Journalism.
She loves finding new music, and can often be found at obscure venues in Bristol looking for the next thing that makes her tick, whether it’s dad rock, indie folk, or punk.
Divorce vocalist Felix Mackenzie-Barrow releases beautifully wistful debut single ‘Song By A Stranger’ under the name Book Of Churches.
Following the release of Divorce’s staggering debut album ‘Drive to Goldenhammer’ in 2025, the band’s vocalist and guitarist Felix Mackenzie-Barrow has graced us with a solo project.
Under the name Book Of Churches, he has released his first lead single, ‘Song By A Stranger’. A beautifully wistful and DIY-feeling track, it places a real spotlight on the songwriting talent that we have grown to admire from the artist.
Retrospective and quiet, ‘Song By A Stranger’ portrays a character in isolation, reflecting the inner workings of his brain in a minimalist, achingly poetic way. Speaking of watching birds fly, speeding vans and the rest of the world fleeing to the moon, the lyrics depict a heartbreaking sense of feeling truly alone, and yet finding comfort in the vastness of the world.
A simple mix of vocal and guitar, Book Of Churches is a veer away from the layered alt-country that Divorce is known for, and I think that’s what makes ‘Song By A Stranger’ all the more powerful. Described by Mackenzie-Barrow as “a bit like a travelogue”, it gives a glimpse into the rare moments of downtime found on tour, escaping into the world and reconnecting with a sense of self.
‘Song By A Stranger’ is the first track on Book Of Churches’ upcoming eponymous album, which will be released on March 6 with Gravity and Capitol, and a headline tour of the UK. Mackenzie-Barrow has said that this single is a “blueprint” for the rest of the project and, if this is the case, it is bound to be a fantastic release.
Listen to ‘Song By A Stranger‘ here:
Catch Book Of Churches at the following:
23 April – The Hope & Ruin, Brighton, UK
25 April – The Castle, Manchester, UK
26 April – The Hug & Pint, Glasgow, UK
28 April – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds, UK
29 April – The Cube, Bristol, UK
30 April – St Pancras Old Church, London, UK
01 May – Nottingham Contemporary, Nottingham, UK