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— Released 12th May 2026
corto.alto – the project led by multi-instrumentalist producer, composer and performer Liam Shortall – announces his new single “THIEF”, released today on Ninja Tune. The release arrives alongside news of his biggest UK and EU headline tour to date, as well as a return to his hometown of Glasgow for a headline show at Barrowlands Ballroom in 2027 – the site of his widely celebrated 2,000-capacity “Made In Glasgow” mini-festival in 2025.
With its chopped classical strings thumping breakbeats and Jersey club bass rhythms, “THIEF” is emblematic of Shortall’s philosophy as corto.alto. It deftly showcases his wide-ranging musical influences alongside the intricate and improvisational musicianship with which he’s been making a name for himself since the release of 2024 Mercury Music Prize nominated debut album ‘Bad With Names’.
Speaking about the release, Shortall says: "I’m buzzing to finally release this one. We’ve been playing it live for a while now and over the last 6 months it’s really grown into something that feels like a new sonic for me. I’ve always loved fat bass riffs and breakbeats, so it felt like the right time to throw them together and make THIEF. The title came from that feeling of time constantly slipping away from you, whether you notice it or not."
— Released 12th May 2026
Tracklist
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1
THIEF
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Play All (1)
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1
THIEF
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Play All (1)
corto.alto – the project led by multi-instrumentalist producer, composer and performer Liam Shortall – announces his new single “THIEF”, released today on Ninja Tune. The release arrives alongside news of his biggest UK and EU headline tour to date, as well as a return to his hometown of Glasgow for a headline show at Barrowlands Ballroom in 2027 – the site of his widely celebrated 2,000-capacity “Made In Glasgow” mini-festival in 2025.
With its chopped classical strings thumping breakbeats and Jersey club bass rhythms, “THIEF” is emblematic of Shortall’s philosophy as corto.alto. It deftly showcases his wide-ranging musical influences alongside the intricate and improvisational musicianship with which he’s been making a name for himself since the release of 2024 Mercury Music Prize nominated debut album ‘Bad With Names’.
Speaking about the release, Shortall says: "I’m buzzing to finally release this one. We’ve been playing it live for a while now and over the last 6 months it’s really grown into something that feels like a new sonic for me. I’ve always loved fat bass riffs and breakbeats, so it felt like the right time to throw them together and make THIEF. The title came from that feeling of time constantly slipping away from you, whether you notice it or not."
