
It’s been almost six years since pop artists Manchester Dutch Uncles came out Big Balloon, their latest album. Today they announced their intention to follow up this LP with a new one called Real entertainment. They also shared the album’s title track, a self-aware, synthetic number that was apparently influenced by acid house and Prince’s. Sign O’The Times. In director Nick Middleton’s video, Dutch Uncles frontman Duncan Wallis wears a shiny gold Elvis-style suit and sings the song, mixing live vocals with recorded ones, in an empty room, giving a full living room singer performance .
In a statement, Duncan Wallis says the video is a tribute to live performance work:
I myself know too well the mountainous task of these poor assholes and the mental gymnastics required to imagine it being a remote success, so in a way, it pays homage to the craft. I was determined to fashion a goatee for the shoot, to separate myself from the character – it’s a character. But I was mortified to see myself in the gold suit, immediately understanding Elvis’ pain.
Director Nick Middleton says:
When I was researching Elvis’ golden suit, I found out that he really hated it and had only worn it two or three times. I think the idea of a job that’s supposed to bring joy to people’s hearts is really tiring – and sometimes even hateful – really intriguing. I think people can understand that.
Below, check out the “True Entertainment” video and tracklist for the new album.
LIST OF TRACKS:
01 “Real Entertainment”
02 “Damascenes”
03 “Tropigala (2 to 5)”
04 “Have fun”
05 “Exit rank”
06 “I’m Not Your Father”
07 “Deep Ending”
08 “In the Salvia”
09 “End of Belief”
10 “Dead Letter”
Real entertainment was released 3/10/23 on Memphis Industries.