The Last Dinner Party Offer Fans an Appetiser

The Last Dinner Party are set to release their sophomore album on the 17th of October, ‘tis the season, of course. It’s aptly titled From The Pyre, tying in with the group’s aesthetic, reminiscent of the Gothic shadows of the Renaissance - to put it simply, their baroque quality.  

Over the past two years, they’ve become somewhat of a household name - that is, in households with a majority of Gen Z hipsters. Now, before you get defensive, that includes me. Their debut single Nothing Matters released via Universal Records, led to whispers of the group being an ‘industry plant’, which is a term typically applied to female artists who quickly succeed in their creative practice. Honestly, the whispers were so convincing that I also for a moment indulged in the drama, quietly agreeing and depriving myself of the genius that is Nothing Matters, which ended up becoming my top song of 2024.

All to say, they set the bar pretty fucking high with their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy and their live shows appear to be overflowing with creative energy.

This is the Killer Speaking is the first single released in the lead-up to their sophomore album, and it’s sonically similar to their debut, yet has a jazzier disposition. Maybe it’s the keys, or more so the feeling that the song emits - the feeling of bearing witness to a group jamming their souls away.

The Scythe sees a return to basics, soft, mellow verses, followed by booming choruses. It’s the instrumental that truly stands out here, beautiful strings, drums you can feel, and the reliable guitar solo intrinsic to that Last Dinner Party sound.

Like many artists, not every The Last Dinner Party track will stand out to everyone, and I am no exception. This is the Killer Speaking is a bit forgettable to me, background noise, if you will. Yet, The Scythe captures my attention. 

That’s the beauty of singles, and the power of them too - giving a small glimpse into what the album withholds.