Wikipedia

Prelude to Ecstasy

Prelude to Ecstasy is the debut album by British indie rock band the Last Dinner Party, released on 2 February 2024 by Island Records.[5] It was produced by James Ford, and includes the singles "Nothing Matters", "Sinner", "My Lady of Mercy", "On Your Side", "Caesar on a TV Screen" and "The Feminine Urge".[6] The band toured the UK and Europe from January to July 2024 in support of the album.[6]

Prelude to Ecstasy
A portrait of the band atop a mantelpiece adorned with flowers and candles.
Studio album by
The Last Dinner Party
Released2 February 2024 (2024-02-02)
Genre
Length41:08
LabelIsland
ProducerJames Ford
Singles from Prelude to Ecstasy
  1. "Nothing Matters"
    Released: 19 April 2023
  2. "Sinner"
    Released: 30 June 2023
  3. "My Lady of Mercy"
    Released: 9 October 2023
  4. "On Your Side"
    Released: 1 November 2023
  5. "Caesar on a TV Screen"
    Released: 4 January 2024
  6. "The Feminine Urge"
    Released: 2 July 2024
  7. "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us"
    Released: 28 August 2024
  8. "Portrait of a Dead Girl"
    Released: 11 October 2024

The album received acclaim from critics and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. It was the UK's biggest first week-selling debut album in nine years, since Communion by Years & Years.[7] It received a nomination for the 2024 Mercury Prize.[8]

Background

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A press release called the concept of ecstasy a "pendulum which swings between the extremes of human emotion, from the ecstasy of passion to the sublimity of pain" and one that "binds [the] album together". The band also stated that they "laid bare confessions directly from diary pages, and summoned an orchestra to bring our vision to life", calling it their "greatest honour and pride to present this offering to the world, it is everything we are".[9]

Singles

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The band's debut single, "Nothing Matters", reached the top 10 of the US Adult Alternative Airplay chart in September 2023,[10] and reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in February 2024.[11]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic84/100[12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [13]
DIY     [14]
Financial Times     [4]
The Line of Best Fit8/10[3]
MusicOMH     [15]
NME     [16]
Pitchfork6.5/10[2]
Record Collector     [17]
The Skinny     [18]
Uncut6/10[1]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Prelude to Ecstasy received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 84 out of 100 from twenty-one critic scores.[12] Uncut described it as "a rich saturnine, baroque-pop set full of romantic drama. Strings, piano and keyboard combine with multi-textured guitar in songs that, though engaging, tend toward the florid".[1] John Earls of Record Collector wrote that "Prelude to Ecstasy inhabits its own world as magnificently as The Lexicon of Love or Dog Man Star in marrying its grandiose aims with massive tunes. [...] There's not a weak moment in these 11 songs."[17]

Sophie Williams of NME found the album to have "a melodic confidence throughout that's a rare find in a debut. The Last Dinner Party may have some reverence for their art-rock forebears (think: early Julia Holter or St Vincent), but also enough self-belief and magnetism to set them apart from what's come before", summarising it as "fantastic songs that are easy to embrace and return to".[16] Reviewing the album for MusicOMH, David Murphy stated that the sound is "varied but invariably bold, gesturing camply towards a raft of classic pop styles" and that "the band always sound cohesive, not just a list of educated nods, the music impeccably arranged and with true depth to the writing".[15]

DIY's Lisa Wright stated that Prelude to Ecstasy is "proof in an age of algorithms that a completely singular band can beat them all and come out on top without diminishing a shred of their vision".[14] Ellie Robertson of The Skinny concluded that, "Whether you call it glam, goth, or grotesque, these writers are resurrecting a long lost art in popular music – using big sounds, with indulgent lyrics, crafting a listening experience so rich it borders on hedonism."[18] Rolling Stone's David Browne opined that "there's no denying the way their blowsy, unrestrained songs knock you upside and down and leave you with a dizzying high", calling the "combined mood [...] very post-lockdown".[19]

Concluding his review for AllMusic, James Christopher Monger called the album "a remarkably assured set of bold-faced indie rock and maximalist goth pop teaming with earworm melodies, intelligent, darkly romantic lyrics, and thespian bluster".[13] Sophia McDonald of The Line of Best Fit felt that "with classical references and themes of lust, revenge, and sorrow, this debut could be the soundtrack to a modern Shakespeare tragedy".[3] Laura Snapes of Pitchfork wrote that it "channels baroque pop and prog of yore, yet for all its high drama, the results sometimes sound too carefully plotted and curiously professional", as "for songs that deal with the emotional violence meted out to women and queer people, there's not much mess in TLDP's proggy proficiency, the kind that glam originally stubbed its cigs out on".[2]

Year-end lists

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Select year-end rankings for Prelude to Ecstasy
Publication/critic Accolade Rank Ref.
MOJO 75 Best Albums of 2024 46 [20]
Time Out The Best Albums of 2024 15 [21]
Rough Trade UK Albums of the Year 2024 5 [22]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Georgia Davies, Lizzie Mayland, Abigail Morris, Aurora Nishevci, and Emily Roberts. Tracks 2-5 and 8-11 are also written by Rhys Downing.

Prelude to Ecstasy track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Prelude to Ecstasy"1:36
2."Burn Alive"3:21
3."Caesar on a TV Screen"3:49
4."The Feminine Urge"3:26
5."On Your Side"4:27
6."Beautiful Boy"3:47
7."Gjuha"1:29
8."Sinner"2:56
9."My Lady of Mercy"2:55
10."Portrait of a Dead Girl"4:57
11."Nothing Matters"3:01
12."Mirror"5:24
Total length:41:08
Prelude to Ecstasy: Acoustics and Covers (includes entire Prelude to Ecstasy album along with nine bonus tracks)
No.TitleLength
13."Caesar on a TV Screen (Acoustic)"3:34
14."Sinner (Acoustic)"3:14
15."My Lady of Mercy (Acoustic)"2:58
16."Nothing Matters (Acoustic, Live from Studio Brussel)"3:05
17."Mirror (Acoustic, Live from The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds)"4:47
18."This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us"3:11
19."Up North (Live from Hebden Trades Club)"3:31
20."Wicked Game (Live from Showbox Sodo, Seattle)"3:39
21."Army Dreamers (Live from Studio Brussel)"2:10

Prelude to Ecstasy: Acoustics and Covers

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On 28 August 2024, the group released a cover of the Sparks song "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us". The song will be included on Prelude to Ecstary: Acoustics and Covers which will be released on 11 October 2024. The release will contain the entire Prelude to Ecstasy studio album along with nine bonus tracks of live and acoustic versions of songs from the album along with cover songs performed in the studio and live. The album will be released on limited edition Amber colored vinyl through the band's website, CD, on streaming services and for digital download.[23]

Prelude to Ecstasy – A Short Film by the Last Dinner Party

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In August 2024, the group announced the release of their film, Prelude to Ecstasy – A Short Film by the Last Dinner Party, which was released on 12 September 2024. Fans could register for tickets to the premiere and could watch the film along with the band in Soho, London. The film was also released to YouTube the same day.[24]

Personnel

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The Last Dinner Party

  • Georgia Davies – bass guitar (all tracks), additional vocals (tracks 1, 4, 6–11)
  • Lizzie Mayland – additional vocals (all tracks), guitar (tracks 1–6, 8–12), flute (3, 6)
  • Abigail Morris – lead vocals (all tracks), additional vocals (track 7)
  • Aurora Nishevci – additional vocals (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8–11), organ (1, 3–5, 7–12), piano (1–6, 8–12), synthesizer (1–5, 8–12), conductor (2–4, 10, 12), string arrangement (11)
  • Emily Roberts – guitar (all tracks), additional vocals (tracks 1, 4, 6, 8–11), flute (3, 6), mandolin (7)

Additional musicians

  • Alex Marshall – cello (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Midori Jaeger – cello (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Sam Becker – double bass (tracks 1–4, 12)
  • Jenny Ames – viola (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Richard Jones – viola (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Zami Jalil – viola (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Aleksandra Mansurova – violin (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Chihiro Ono – violin (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Emma Smith – violin (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Freya Goldmark – violin (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Lucy Wilkins – violin (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Paloma Deike – violin (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Phil Granell – violin (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Rosie Tompsett – violin (tracks 1–4, 10, 12)
  • Pasha Mansurov – flute (tracks 1–3, 6, 12)
  • Elsa Bradley – timpani (tracks 1–3), tubular bells (1, 5)
  • Serafina Steer – harp (tracks 1, 3, 5, 11)
  • Alistair Goodwin – bass trombone (tracks 1, 3, 8, 11, 12)
  • Robyn Blair – French horn (tracks 1, 3, 8, 11, 12)
  • Bradley Jones – trumpet (tracks 1, 3, 8, 11, 12)
  • Lucy Humphris – trumpet (tracks 1, 3, 8, 11, 12)
  • Chris Brewster – trombone (tracks 1, 3, 8)
  • Ashley Myall – bassoon (tracks 1, 12)
  • Rocío Bolaños – clarinet (tracks 1, 12)
  • Philip Howarth – oboe (tracks 1, 12)
  • James Ford – drums (all tracks except 3)
  • Rebekah Rayner – drums (track 3)

Technical

Charts

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Chart performance for Prelude to Ecstasy
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[25] 35
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[26] 9
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[27] 2
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[28] 12
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[29] 4
French Albums (SNEP)[30] 107
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[31] 15
Irish Albums (OCC)[32] 2
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[33] 82
Scottish Albums (OCC)[34] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 10
UK Albums (OCC)[36] 1

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] Silver 72,596[37]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy". Uncut. February 2024. p. 30.
  2. ^ a b c Snapes, Laura (8 February 2024). "The Last Dinner Party: Prelude to Ecstasy Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c McDonald, Sophia (31 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party: Prelude to Ecstasy Review – pleasurably satisfying". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (31 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party: Prelude to Ecstasy album review – ornate debut lands amid hype and controversy". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  5. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (4 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party are at their dramatic best with their first new track of 2024, 'Caesar on a TV Screen'". Dork. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b Redfern, Mark (5 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party Share Video for New Song 'Caesar on a TV Screen'". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  7. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (9 February 2024). "The Last Dinner Party score biggest Number One debut album in nine years". NME. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  8. ^ "2024 Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year' revealed". Mercury Prize. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  9. ^ Skinner, Tom (1 November 2023). "The Last Dinner Party announce debut album Prelude to Ecstasy and share new single 'On Your Side'". NME. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  10. ^ Brandle, Lars (8 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party Wins BBC Sound of 2024 Poll". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Last Dinner Party songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Prelude to Ecstasy by The Last Dinner Party Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  13. ^ a b Monger, James Christopher (2 February 2024). "The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b Wright, Lisa (31 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy review". DIY. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b Murphy, David (31 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party: Prelude to Ecstasy | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  16. ^ a b Williams, Sophie (30 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy review: flamboyant, fun and totally distinct". NME. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  17. ^ a b Earls, John (31 January 2024). "Prelude to Ecstasy | The Last Dinner Party". Record Collector. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  18. ^ a b Robertson, Ellie (29 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy". The Skinny. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  19. ^ Browne, David (30 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party Have a Messy Good Time on Prelude to Ecstasy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  20. ^ "MOJO's 75 Best Albums of 2024". albumoftheyear.org. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  21. ^ Time Out (23 November 2024). "The Best Albums of 2024". Time Out. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Albums of the Year 2024". roughtrade.com. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  23. ^ "The Last Dinner Party announce album of covers and acoustic versions with soaring rendition of Sparks' 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us'". nme.com. NME. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  24. ^ "The Last Dinner Party announce 'Prelude to Ecstasy' film". nme.com. NME. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Austriancharts.at – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Lescharts.com – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Mercury Prize 2024: Island secures three nominations as debuts dominate albums of the year list". Music Week. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  38. ^ "British album certifications – Last Dinner Party – Prelude To Ecstasy". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
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