Following the international success of their 2016 release, Everything This Way, Walking On Cars have changed their sound, overcome a series of internal set-backs, and dealt with personal losses – all of which influenced their superb second album. Peter McGoran meets the band to talk about how you deal with the pressures and strains of having to follow up a debut album which shifted over 300,000 units.

To celebrate the release of Walking On Cars' new album, we're also pleased to announce that a limited number of pre-ordered copies of Hot Press will be signed by the band themselves. As well as that, a couple of lucky fans who pre-order now will be in with a chance to win either a signed vinyl or a CD copy of Colours.

Also in this issue, Stuart Clark sits down with Trinity Provost Dr. Patrick Prendergast in the Hot Press interview. As one of the youngest ever provosts, Dr Prendergast has been a progressive force at Trinity College. In this exclusive interview, he reveals that the college is looking to scrap fees for students in direct provision, as well as forge closer ties with the Muslim community. Campus protests, consent classes, drugs, Trump, Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle and Johnny Marr are all on the agenda in this frank and honest discussion.

We also have several typically wide-ranging music features this issue. Peter McGoran spends some time with Maverick Sabre to discuss his magnificent third album, When I Wake Up. His first release without a major label backing him, the Wexford-raised singer talks about creative reinvention, the growth of Irish hip-hop, mentoring R&B star Jorja Smith, and much more. Elsewhere, Paul Nolan takes an extensive look at Scott Walker’s legacy and pays a fitting tribute to one of rock music’s most influential figures. And Lucy O’Toole speaks to indie-rock legend Jenny Lewis, who opens up about mortality, marijuana, sexism in the music industry and recruiting Ringo Star for her stunning album, On The Line.

In our Frontlines section this issue, Peter McGoran has an in-depth interview with Maria Walsh, the former Rose of Tralee who is now Fine Gael candidate for Midlands-North West in the upcoming European Elections. Elsewhere, Jackie Hayden analyses what the new copyright laws, passed by the European Parliament, mean for songwriters and musicians.

In our film section, Roe McDermott catches up with acclaimed director Neil Jordan, whose new psychological thriller Greta explores loneliness in the social media age. She also gives her reviews of the latest cinematic releases, including Wild Rose, The Sisters Brothers, and Eighth Grade.

In our bumper literary section this fortnight, Peter McGoran chats with the internationally best-selling writer Taylor Jenkins Reid. Author of new novel, Daisy Jones & The Six, which was inspired by the making of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album, Reid talks about our fascination with celebrities, and rock excess in the ‘70s. As well as this, Roisin Dwyer talks to Niamh Boyce about her new novel Her Kind, which re-imagines the events leading to Ireland’s first witch trial.

On top of all that, we also have interviews with the likes of The Delines’ Willy Vlautin, Dublin DJ Krystal Klear, and the entrepreneurs behind Dublin’s latest music venue Lost Lane. We also have all the usual previews, reviews and news that you'd expect from Hot Press, including coverage of the newest releases from SOAK, Walking On Cars and Fontaines D.C., and a feature on some of Ireland’s best spirits…

The new Hot Press will be on the shelves on April 11, and you can buy it online here: