SOFT PLAY (formerly known as Slaves) are back following a three-year hiatus. Their much-anticipated album ‘Heavy Jelly’ is due for release on July 19th. Here are the singles so far:
Punk’s Dead
Back with a bang! The premier single, Punk’s Dead shows that SOFT PLAY have returned with a brand new name and as heavy as ever. The growling guitar and thrashing vocals show that, contrary to the track’s namesake, punk is not dead. At least not if Isaac and Laurie have anything to say about it.
Lyrically, the track feeds into the controversy surrounding the duo’s name change, hitting back with witty sarcasm at the flurry of negative comments they received from misguided critics who took issue with the bands decision. The duo give example of some of the backlash with lines like, “Soft Play, I don’t like this spineless shit, not one bit” and “Turns out you’re just another couple of overly emotional pricks”. The artists explained their name change back in 2022 stating that “The name slaves is an issue and doesn’t represent who we are as a band any longer”.
One of the more peculiar moments of the track is the appearance of Robbie Williams in the bridge (a feature I don’t think anyone would have predicted), singing over a floaty guitar melody accompanied by a collection of voices reading out comments made about the band online. While it feels like an odd direction for the song, it’s an interesting hook that I for one didn’t see coming.
Mirror Muscles
A continuation of the sarcastic commentary we heard from Isaac in the first single, Mirror Muscles is a first person account of the steroid-soaked arsehole you see at the gym taking selfies of himself, ready to clutter the TikTok FYP of any slightly insecure 14-year-old boy. Layered with dark, almost menacing guitar parts, that feel closer to metal than punk. It’s a direction we’ve heard the duo go in a little before on tracks such as “Bugs” and “She Wants Me Now” but this particular single feels more fleshed out, perhaps an indication of a slight change in style for the band.
SOFT PLAY have spoken previously about their love of the gym and working out. The song suggests an internal monologue, possibly the artist’s own thoughts when they’re working on their own ‘mirror muscles’.
Act Violently
Raspy, aggressive vocals from the outset as Isaac screams “Fucking hell I didn’t see you there, not because I’m visually impaired” over a chugging rhythm guitar, courtesy of Laurie. The third single feels, again, one of the heavier sounds we’ve heard from SOFT PLAY. You might be wondering what it is exactly that makes the duo want to act violently, you guessed it! Electric scooters. I often say my biggest annoyance in life is minor inconveniences and it seems Isaac and Laurie fall into the same boat. “If I wasn’t such a lovely bloke, I’d kick your fucking head into the road” is one lyrical extract to highlight the poetic prowess the duo possess when it comes to songwriting.
The music video depicts a frustrated Isaac pursuing a hoodrich clad E-scooter rider through the streets of Royal Tunbridge Wells as he angrily shouts lines like “I wish I could see you bite the kerb” and “I’m about to commit an assault”
Everything and Nothing
The track opens with a more acoustic, relaxed approach instrumentally with a folk feel, featuring a mandolin and violin, a stark contrast from the three other singles that have been among the band’s heavier work. The song tackles the feelings of loss, grief, and the highs and lows that accompany coming to terms with it, stating its “Everything and Nothing”. The direct reference to missing their friend Bailey is a personal insight into the feelings of the duo that make it so relatable as you get a look into what’s behind the showmanship. They encourage looking out for your friends through hard times “How you been man your face looks thinner? What you doing for dinner? I made enough for two”.
Vocally the song isn’t too dissimilar from previous work by the band, still shouty and gritty, but clear and restraint enough to feel the emotions that have been poured into the track. One of my favourite lyrics is “amongst the devastation I feel love”, an example that even at the lowest times, the people around you can still break through the feelings of helplessness. Perhaps also pointing out that the devastation wouldn’t be felt if there was an absence of love initially, meaning the heartbreak is made better knowing it was real. It’s refreshing to see a punk band write something emotional that perfectly embodies the feeling of losing someone. While it’s a slightly different approach for SOFT PLAY, it still feels natural and effortless.
Contrary to the beliefs of some fans of (the former) ‘Slaves’ I’ve always believed Punk is about progression and inspiring counterculture movements which is something the duo are embodying. I’m excited to see where SOFT PLAY goes next. If these singles are anything to go by, we can assume it will only get heavier.
‘Heavy Jelly’ will be released on Friday the 19th July 2024