EP Review Deadletter - Heat!

“Life imitates art, they say / In which case, life must be utter dismay”. In a flurry of furrowed brows and cynical boogie, London-via-Yorkshire post-punkers Deadletter are not ones for trite hopefulness or droll optimism, as this chorus from janking opener ‘Weights’ discloses. Staggering themselves deep into the stagnant misery of British modernity, this debut EP plies that familiar framework of dicey Gang of Four guitars and hollering sing-speak vocals. Despite this, ‘Heat!’ adds a generous spicing of disco and funk to loosen up those well-trodden aesthetics. Lead single ‘Binge’ is an all-consuming delight, balancing sullen angst with a Talking Heads wiriness to birth something insatiably catchy and genuinely danceable. EP closer ‘Zeitgeist’ gives us a sinister, slow-burning build and satisfactory release, with big chord punches and saxophone charms. On the back of relentless tours, national radio play and sizeable London sell-outs, with tunes like this, it’s easy to see why the band have built such excitement. For all their moodiness and arch seriousness, Deadletter are ripe for the spectacle.