Nothing But Thieves - ‘Oh No :: He Said What?’ Review: Everything Dead Club City could’ve been
Storming into 2024, the doors have flung open and the glitter ball dropped once again. Nothing But Thieves are back, with Oh No :: He Said What?.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Credit: Nothing But Thieves 📸
Nothing But Thieves know how to make an entrance. They had us dancing from the very moment we were introduced to the utopian world of Dead Club City.
A world crafted by Dom Craik (guitarist/producer). One twinkling in the distance, with promises of endless partying and bright lights. The city, instead, had other ideas. Encouraging us to feel liberated in a colourful club, empowered by dance-rock and groove, before switching the lights off all too soon.
If you haven’t left the club, and stuck with the #1 charted album, there’s a reward in store.
Storming into 2024, the doors have flung open and the glitter ball dropped once again. Nothing But Thieves are back, with Oh No :: He Said What?, embodying everything Dead Club City should have (and could have) been.
Released via RCA/Sony on Monday 29th January, the track received its first spin as Clara Amfo's Hottest Record in the World on BBC Radio 1. It was one of the last to come from the DCC sessions and almost didn’t see the light of day.
Oh No :: He Said What? demonstrates the versatility across the whole band, spotlighting an urgency reminiscent of early singles Welcome To The DCC and Overcome.
The band explain: “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.”
Immediate guitar riffs, funky synths and remarkable vocals. You’ll struggle to put your finger on where this tune originated from. Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, New Order? Bowie, Simple Minds, The Weeknd? It’s so cleverly infused, that it defies any boxes and feels instantly timeless. When you’re having fun, does it even matter?
You’ll find the riff looping in your head for hours, as you feel an uncontrollable urge to dance. It’s unbelievably joyful while carrying the dark undertones of the album.
The track coincides with the announcement of Dead Club City (Deluxe Edition) dropping in March. In addition to this track, there are two new singles, Time :: Fate :: Karma :: God and Pure You, alongside acoustic re-workings of fan favourites Overcome and Tomorrow is Closed.
Dead Club City sparkled when it leaned towards dance-rock with more straightforward tunes Do You Love Me Yet? and Overcome. You knew where you were at, and the band felt focused and confident. Where the album fell down was when that confidence became diluted with all-to-familiar songs, slapped with a sprinkling of glitter to fit the aesthetic.
Oh No :: He Said What? is the perfect example of where Dead Club City could’ve thrived. If there’s one way to get people hyped for a Deluxe Version, it’s with a banger like this.
Glistening and shimmering in beautiful dance-rock, it’s time to look to the future. This is a welcome expansion to their universe, because, despite our thoughts, this is a band at its peak. Selling out their tour, including several nights at Wembley, and continuing this year with further global dates due to phenomenal demand.
Dead Club City has been re-awakened, and by the sounds of it, this city may continue to grow in Nothing But Thieves catalogue:
“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?”
Play this tune, play it loud. We’ll see you on the dancefloor. Whether it’s the street, an actual club or your bedroom. Time to lose yourself to dance.
