Late last year, UK punk duo Slaves announced that they were changing their name to SOFT PLAY. They shared in a statement that the name “doesn’t represent who we are as people or what our music stands for any longer”. They also added that they wanted to “sincerely apologise to anyone we’ve offended”. The post was the first piece of correspondence from the band in a fair few years, with their last release being their 2019 EP The Velvet Ditch. So you just knew the plan was for them to get back to doing what they do best. But nothing could have prepared you for what they have created.
“Punk’s Dead” is the name of their new track. It is as much a statement as it is a tongue-in-cheek look at the reaction to their decision. Receiving criticism from those saying that changing their name is the least punk thing they could do, despite it being for honorable reasons, this is the band’s chance to clap back once more. So on top of its raw and rallying riff and machine gun drums is a song soaked in bile and cheeky intentions. Oh, and it also features a cameo from the legendary Robbie Williams.
Read more: Movements Start A ‘RUCKUS!’ On New Album
It’s a brilliant way to return to the fold. It also serves as a reminder to everybody what you are made of and how you won’t take any shit from anyone. But beyond Soft Play, it feels like a commentary on internet culture as a whole. That things are much bigger than what you believe in. That writing about it in comment sections isn’t the way to go either.
SOFT PLAY will also be joining the line-up of Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend, making an appearance in Reading on the 26 and Leeds on the 27. They will also be supporting The Prodigy on their tour later this year. Here are the dates:
- 16 Nov – Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro
- 17 Nov – Manchester, UK @ AO Arena
- 18 Nov – Leeds @ First Direct Arena
- 20 Nov – Brighton, UK @ Brighton Centre
- 21 Nov – Cardiff @ Motorpoint Arena
- 23 Nov – Birmingham, UK @ Utilita Arena
- 24 Nov – London, UK @ Alexandra Palace
- 25 Nov – London, UK @ Alexandra Palace
