(1)_edited.png)
New year, new you and new Nothing But Thieves! It's truly a recipe for an amazing 2024, and the reality that has transpired courtesy of a new track and the announcement of a deluxe version of the band's 2023 hit album Dead Club City.
Like entering a futuristic Studio 54, the brand new neon stomper Oh No :: He Said What? from the Essex legends once again raises the bar for the insatiable innovation and exploration beyond their guitar-driven core that the group have become increasingly revered for.
With 80s synths, driving guitars and an unholy amount of hooks, Oh No :: He Said What? is a glistening statement from Nothing But Thieves that they more than deserve their acclaim; and it's only the beginning of five additional tracks that will round out the impending deluxe edition of Dead Club City.
“Like Welcome To The DCC, the song is mostly from the point of view of those running Dead Club City - except now, they're panicked by the monster they've helped to create. The grifters have moved in. A utopia that was meant to be beyond borders or traditional government control has been dragged back down by the human condition, maybe it was inevitable," the band shares of their latest tune.
“The song was the very last thing we finished off in the studio and at one point wasn't really part of the concept. The story was meant to end with Pop The Balloon but these extra songs leave the door open a bit. We like that. Maybe we'll want to check in on Dead Club City in a decade's time and see how it's doing?”
Nothing But Thieves enjoyed an incredible 2023; their fourth album Dead Club City charted at #1 in the UK, they performed a sell-out UK tour, including two nights at London’s Wembley Arena, Radio 1 named their single Welcome to the DCC their Hottest Record of the Year and Radio X gave them the Best Record of the Year award for their single Overcome. Welcome to the DCC also most recently featured in triple j's coveted Hottest 100, taking out the #95 spot for 2023 last weekend.
The band introduced a new era of Nothing But Thieves with Dead Club City, which was recorded and produced by Nothing But Thieves guitarist Dom Craik alongside John Gilmore (production, engineering) and Mike Crossey (mixing). The concept-style album showcased their city-sized members only club, with the tracklist and overall narrative formed by different characters and story arcs from in and around the city. Using the club as a focal point, it is easy to imagine the real-world meaning behind Dead Club City. Themes such as advertisement, unity, internet culture, the music industry, ageing and politics, as well as escapism and change are highlighted by the alienation or privilege of a members only club.
Continuing their exploration within the club and evolving the story to introduce new chapters, Dead Club City Deluxe features three new songs, including new single Oh No :: He Said What?, Time :: Fate :: Karma :: God and Pure You. It also features Stripped versions of two of the original album’s singles Overcome and Tomorrow Is Closed.
With a well-earned reputation for their energetic and impassioned performances, Nothing But Thieves ended 2023 with a sold-out headline UK and Ireland tour, including two nights at Wembley Arena and three nights at Manchester Apollo. Last year also saw them perform sold-out dates in Australia and North America. In February, they kick off the next leg of their ‘Welcome to the DCC World Tour’ with more sold-out dates in Europe, including two sold-out nights at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, alongside worldwide tour and festival performances and supporting Green Day on their summer tour. At the end of this month, they will play a sold out one-off intimate London show for Radio X at The Forum, where they last played 8 years ago.
Oh No :: He Said What? is out now.
Dead Club City Deluxe is due out on Friday 15 April, pre-order here.
For more Nothing But Thieves info, head here.
BY TIANA SPETER