Things are all coming up DEADLETTER.
After the triumphant release of their debut EP, ‘Heat!’, they’ve recently sold out their biggest headline show to date, at London’s Lafayette on April 26th. This comes alongside high praise from 6Music’s indie prophet Steve Lamaq, ticking a Madia Vale session off their bucket list and supporting Placebo in a string of arena shows before Christmas.
Their latest single, ‘The Snitching Hour’, feels subtly triumphant. A band flexing their muscles on an unstoppable rise. As the chorus erupts into “Love Thy Neighbour”, frontman Zac Lawrence’s most anthemic work to date, you could be forgiven for thinking they’ve written a soundtrack for the fast-approaching festival season. You wouldn’t be wrong either, but there’s more to it than that.
Not only would this cheapen their sound, but alongside the delectable groove that Alfie Husband’s kit and George Ullyott’s bassline create, there’s a serious social commentary to be found. Describing the song Zac says: “Are we slowly but surely being tacitly tempted into a culture of casual betrayal?” In an era where distrust is sown as standard for political leverage, the narrative feels as necessary as ever. An ironic commentary up there with Gang Of Four’s ‘Guns Before Butter’.
What makes DEADLETTER such an enthralling prospect is the duality of their music. You can lament the world and support their manifesto, simply get down to Poppy Richler’s sax in the chorus or do both. That’s entirely up to you. Either way, DEADLETTER are about to own this summer. That particular train has left the station and it’s time to enjoy the ride.
We chat to DEADLETTER in Issue Forty-One of So Young. Pick up a copy here.
Photo by Louis Gilbert
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