Hoops is the highly awaited sophomore album from The Rubens. The band’s debut, self-titled record reached certified Platinum sales in Australia and its lead single ‘My Gun’ won the prestigious APRA Award for Best Rock Work and came in at #10 in triple j’s Hottest 100. They also won ‘Best Unearthed Artist’ and were nominated for ‘Best Album’ at triple j’s J Awards and received five ARIA Award Nominations. The story of Hoops starts in September 2013 when Sam, Elliot, Zaac, Will and Scott packed their bags and headed from the country to the coast for an intensive song-writing sojourn. They would spend the next five months in their new songwriting sanctuary in Coledale on Sydney’s south coast and when they emerged, they had the makings of their second album. After playing more than 120 shows on their first record, it’s no surprise that their live sound played a big role in how the band wrote their parts.

When the band felt ready, they once again called on Kahne to begin work on production, this time, however, the band went in a little more experienced and with a more informed view of how they wanted things to work. Once the album was recorded, the band decided it would be a good idea to call on fresh ears and brought in legendary producer Michael Brauer (Coldplay) to mix. The 11 tracks that make up Hoops showcase a band with a clear understanding of how to play to their strengths. Hoops is brimming with giant rock hooks, growling guitars, driving rhythms and that unmistakable, soul-drenched Sam Margin voice. With Hoops, The Rubens have shown that their previous success was not a fluke. Through months spent on the road and tucked away writing relentlessly and never taking themselves too seriously, it’s no wonder they’ve managed to write an album full of timeless rock tunes.