‘Punk’s Dead’ speaks of the challenges ‘Soft Play’ have faced from the move away from their previous brand as ‘Slaves’. Understandably, the pair weren’t expecting the backlash they received. I mean, you only have to look to ‘cheer up London’ to understand the group’s stance on societal issues. In true punk fashion, the group pushed back in the band’s latest single featuring quotes from disgruntled fans, who criticised the band for being ‘woke’.
3 stars
‘Punk’s Dead’ features a raw, quick paced flow which, for those who have been listening to Soft Play for a while, may be a shock to the system. In an interview with the Rolling Stone, guitarist Vincent explained that Issac (lead singer) came up with the idea to turn critical comments into lyrics; ‘Isaac started to realise that those comments could be lyrics if we pull them together. It was like the song just fell out of thin air and we were there laughing our heads off while making it’..
The pair have maintained their high energy guitar riffs that showcase the frustration felt by both. However, this is one of few characteristics that has stayed the same...
While the vocals within tracks such as ‘cut and run’ and ‘Steer Clear’ mastered the ‘I don’t care’ attitude, ‘Punk’s Dead’ channels a passionate, uncut side to Holman which we haven’t seen since ‘One More Day Won't Hurt’.
Speaking to the Rolling Stone, the two revealed the identity of the mysterious guest featured in the bridge, Robbie Williams himself. While the crossover makes for a varied listening experience, Williams would have been a better fit for a more laidback track, such as ‘Momentary Bliss’. With this collaboration, Soft Play have distanced themselves from their unique flow, which has disparaged them amongst their audience at an important point during their career. While it would have been nice to see Williams on an alternative track, it’s undeniable that this move holds promising new beginnings, which will open up a new audience for the band. A change in style, objectively, is a good move. It represents the distance the band is trying to establish between itself and their past. While some parts aren’t to my personal taste, this song truly showcases the essence of punk, which is, to put it plainly, ‘lump it or leave it’!
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