The Last Dinner Party: Prelude to Ecstasy
The soulful debut record from the London quintet is an injection of good vibes and chilled out tunes
The sun is shining as I write this, and the vibe-spangled tunes of The Last Dinner Party’s debut album is filling my flat. The five-piece has launched into the world of music and landed with a splash, a year after they gave the world their first single.
Already hotly tipped to be one of the albums of the year, this work from a band only in existence since 2021 is the culmination of months of ideas, creative spark, and critical edge. A fresh take on many aspects of normal life, The Last Dinner Party have made a strong start to their discography with this one.
As it turns out, the ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’ is an orchestral overture, and for 90 seconds it brings a flowing, symbolic opening to the album. The range of musical contributions comes to a crescendo and sets up the record as if it was the start of a film.
The orchestra takes a step back and the band comes fully integrated into the record with ‘Burn Alive’. For a song that launches the album off in earnest, it is a powerful
The album is laced with an eclectic summary of cool sounds, pulsating beats, and a rhythm you can’t pass up. ‘Caesar on a TV screen’ is a coming together of what the band want to implement in their style, a lasting reminder that they are just getting started.
‘On Your Side’ has a bit more length to it, and it is almost four-and-a-half minutes of vivid storytelling and a fresh sound which is almost as welcome as the end of January. The last 30 seconds or so is a whimsical outro, bringing the dream-like song to a calm and then abrupt ending.
The piano has a great deal of sway on this album, and it especially takes front and centre on ‘Sinner’. Taking the brunt of the musical responsibility, the piano’s beat propels this peppy and silky tune which is lined with awe-inspiring lyrics. The talk of cleaning the sole and sinning cuts through a debut album which could be one of the best of the year already.
The band have been compared to Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine, and have referenced David Bowie as an influence. In ‘My Lady of Mercy’, both of these artists show through, and these influences combine to bring together a song that is both courageously bold and sharp in a somewhat witty way. The foot-stomping beat that envelopes itself around this track is a gentle nod to Welch and Bowie.
‘Mirror’ is a slow dance, twirling around the end of the album. It is five minutes of magical wander through what feels like celestial skies, wrapping up a first effort at an album that many acts would be jealous of.
2024 could be the year for The Last Dinner Party, and taking this record to intimate venues across the country, continent, and further afield will get them talked about and, after experiencing ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’, this would be well deserved.
