Album Review: Prelude To Ecstasy | The Last Dinner Party
This indie-rock girl group is bringing something new to the table
The Last Dinner Party is an emerging all-girl indie rock group from across the pond in London. They recently released their debut album, Prelude to Ecstacy, which went #1 in the UK earlier this month. You might have heard their song Nothing Matters, which went semi-viral on TikTok earlier this year. The lead single has caught the attention of fans across the internet, amassing 5 million average monthly listeners on Spotify.
Their quick rise to popularity comes with criticism. The band has received accusations of being an "industry plant" and being called a cash grab by capitalizing on the "coquette craze." How these baseless rumors will impact their success must be determined. Still, it is understandable that this band is confident in their sound, which is particularly rare for their first work. Despite the allegations, The Last Dinner Party is committed to its artistry, delivering a fun debut record.Â
One of the most intriguing things about The Last Dinner Party is their come-up. Having only met each other in 2020 and performing for the first time in 2021, the band is still finding their footing. More impressively is how quickly the group could amass a following. After being signed by Island Records in April of 2023, the band released their debut single, Nothing Matters, putting them on the map rather quickly with the help of TikTok. Months later, the group would open for Hozier on the European leg of the Unreal, Unearth 2023 Tour. Despite not having any connections to large industry players, the group's talent was evident early on and quickly pushed in front of an impressionable audience.
Baroque-Pop, as critics have described it, is on the menu at the Prelude to Ecstacy. The sub-genre features elements of classic rock and 17th-century classical music (according to Wikipedia). Think Beach Boys, Vampire Weekend, Florence + The Machine & Sufjan Stevens to give some substance to this blend. The genre itself isn't a new concept- yet it is so unique that all attempts at it feel pioneering, this record is no exception.Â
As expected with an album titled Prelude to Ecstacy by a band called The Last DInner Party, the record is grandiose. From its title track and intro featuring a 25-piece orchestra to its head-banging rock choruses, the project lacks any dull moments. The vocals on this record are impressive. Lead vocalist, Abigail Morris, has an impressive range and knows how to utilize her voice. The melodies in this album's vocals keep the songs interesting and are a focal point. You can find countless examples of fun vocals here, such as Nothing Matters, Mirror, Burn Alive, etc. Being an indie rock record, the album contains some attention-grabbing lead guitar parts that stand out for the band. Impressive on this record are the guitar solos; they fit the baroque-pop vibe perfectly. Additionally, the bass lines on Burn Alive and Portrait of a Dead Girl are more than deserving of recognition.
Many of the tracks on this record feel theatre-kid-level dramatics. For example, take Caesar on a TV Screen; the song utilizes different bpm (beats per minute) for different track sections. The verses have a slower, more dramatic forte, while the pre-choruses are faster, creating a fun, upbeat pop track concluded with a glorious in-between outro. Another Standout on this record includes the aforementioned Nothing Matters. The well-structured, upbeat banger is an excellent example of what this band offers; it's a good reflection of the album despite being slightly stripped down. Absolutely killer guitar solo on the bridge and really fun vocal layering on the hook, making listeners want to scream along.
Keep an eye on The Last Dinner Party. As they tour on their own and venture into the United States (even snagging a Coachella appearance in April), It will be interesting to see how American listeners react to their sound.
Check out our favorite tracks, listen to the album, and see our scores below:
Can’t Miss: Nothing Matters, Sinner
You Can Skip: Beautiful Boy, Ghuja
BY THE NUMBERS
Bennett’s Score: 7.17
Carson’s Score: 6.75
Album Score: 13.92
Notes from Bennett:
Veteran songwriting here first & foremost, Mirror & Nothing Matters are just really well-written songs but in different ways.
My Lady of Mercy is badass. absolutely wild, I love how they use space, and the drums here so so so cool.
I keep finding something new on Burn Alive that I really really like. Lately, it’s the background synths just UGH.
The guitar riffs on Sinner are crazy.
This album took forever to mix & master - it’s really really good and includes so much layering it’s crazy. Grammy-level art from the engineers here. Insane.
The only part of this record I don’t immediately thumbs up for is the outro on On Your Side, not a ton going on, and just kinda of not as interesting as the song we got.
Notes from Carson:
Really could not give a crap how they came together and if it was organic or not. They make some bangers and that’s all that matters. Tbh its probably a little bit misogyny working overtime and why they been accused of it.
Excited to keep listening to this record. Definitely sounds like something I could return to.
The lyrics on this album are wilddddddd. They just really catch you off guard and I like it.
If you like Florence & The Machine I think you’d like this album, a lot of it also feels throwback-y to ABBA with a dash of Fleetwood Mac.
As a man don’t feel I can fully understand The Feminine Urge but it’s a pretty fantastic song anyways.
Top 3: Nothing Matters, Sinner, Ceasar on a TV Screen
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