Our society is built on nepotism.
The very notion that any of the “higher statesmen” that find themselves at the top of the pecking order when it comes to making any of the judicial leadership decisions of the country earned such an esteemed position based off merit is farcical. So much so that even the history they re-write for their self-congratulatory benefit doesn’t need reading between the lines to express as such.
How did they get here? TV Priest, with their debut single ‘House of York’, want to ask such questions, and do so with seething aplomb.
Whatever your opinion on the matter of their merit and worth is, ‘House of York’ offers a pretty compelling debate. TV Priest paint a picture of our society that embraces a more erudite approach than their contemporaries – finding a balance of subtlety and decisive awakening that’s fed through the laconic, abstract drawl of Charlie Drinkwater, seamlessly subverting into a deafening anthem in itself.
The track itself burns with frothing vigour, sick of societal blindsiding and irrevocably delivered with as much impact and infectiousness as it’s possible to conjure. The hook that dangles compromisingly over the edge is perhaps one of the most absorbing we’ve heard this year – and Drinkwater, practically convulsing as he growls “this is not my national anthem” with determined vehemency – is at Buckingham palace gates, surveying the nonsensical adoration of the masses.
And take the monarchy – if quarantine wasn’t an issue, many would be lining the streets as we speak, waving the great red white blue to mark the birthday of a woman who has offered nothing towards helping us out of such a mess as a worldwide Pandemic but a force-fed Sunday afternoon speech on BBC1 and who’s son avoided any criminal questioning on accusations of pretty blatant pedophilia.
Yet what’s clinical about TV Priest is their open-mindedness – this is practically research moulded into popular music tradition, an invitation to offer some concrete reason for why we allow for this to continue. Those of us awake we’ll continue to scratch our heads for some time yet no doubt.
The new issue of So Young is out now. It’s SOLD OUT in print but you can read the digital edition below.