Home Depot is the latest single from Medium Build, also known as singer-songwriter Nick Carpenter. The song tells the story of a character named Steve, who can’t express emotion without having his tools to hand – good-humoured but accurate social observation. With tuneful guitar work and a catchy vocal melody, the song is immediately absorbing. Well composed and arranged, Home Depot builds effectively towards a brilliantly crafted conclusion.
Carpenter says of Home Depot: “‘Home Depot’ is about the man in your life more focused on the external than internal. The lawn is manicured, and the mustache is trimmed. He appears as stepdads or uncles. Some of us know him as father or husband. He works hard and plays hard, although work is often also his play. When I set out to write this song, I wanted to commiserate with the women stuck in the orbits of these men. I was curious how we stay stuck to these guys. As I dug in, what I found was a humanisation of the Steves in my life and a realization that even on my best day, I am really just like him.”
The single appears on King of Having Fun, the new Medium Build album due out on 4th September 2026. The 14 songs were recorded live in the studio with close friends and collaborators, including musical director Paul Rogers and engineer Jimmy Manfield. Drawing on Carpenter’s country influences, the songs cover a range of genres, including country, rock and indie; all crafted with Carpenter’s ear for engaging melody. Having just supported Mumford & Son on a series of dates this summer, Medium Build will be promoting the album with a US tour during October and November. With the likes of John Mayer, Zach Bryan and Elton John as fans and five acclaimed studio albums under its belt so far, Medium Build is very much an act to watch, and King of Having Fun is one to look forward to; a bit of brightness towards the end of summer.
