The Last Dinner Party has returned with their third single, “My Lady Of Mercy,” and it’s a departure from their previous releases, taking a darker, more enigmatic route. Produced by the renowned James Ford (known for his work with Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Haim, Kylie Minogue), the track delves into a haunting atmosphere, marking a significant evolution for the band.
In a press release, The Last Dinner Party explained the song’s theme, saying, “‘My Lady of Mercy’ is about being a girl. A girl looking up at a painting of Joan of Arc for the first time and thinking that she looks so brave and so beautiful that she wants to kiss her. And maybe she also wants to kiss the girl who stands next to her in the school choir.”
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The band further elaborated on their artistic direction, stating, “We are expanding the world of The Last Dinner Party to encompass a darker, heavier atmosphere. The lyrics explore the anguish of a teenage crush that can only be described through the bloody, carnal language of religious experience, as the soundworld takes cues from Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey, and Roxy Music.”
Accompanying the single is a visually striking video, directed by the band themselves, alongside Harv Frost and Dora Paphides.
Currently embarked on a UK tour, The Last Dinner Party has a packed schedule, with tour stops including Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Hull, London, Cambridge, Swansea, and Bristol throughout October. Following this, they will cross the Atlantic Ocean for a series of gigs in the United States, with performances in New York, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Additionally, they are set to join Hozier as opening support for his arena tour in the European Union.
The band has recently announced a headlining show at the London Roundhouse on February 1, 2024.