London’s Famous reveal new single Forever ahead of debut mini-album England. Their softest-edged cut to date, it’s a literary tinged art-rock tune eschewing the panicked chaos of previous releases in favour of an almost maudlin sentimentality. Forever tugs at your emotions, owing

to vocalist Jack Merrett’s by turns resigned, matter-of-fact and desperate vocals, reminiscent

of a Heroes-era David Bowie or Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus.

 

He explains the reasoning:

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“I wrote Forever about a year ago, whilst reading Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther; a very beautiful but very ridiculous story about unrequited love.  The more I read, the more the story started to resemble a situation in my own life.  So I took the character’s names and, with that anonymity, was able to speak more cuttingly about my experiences.  This is definitely where Famous is going directionally; gushing, slower songs with a big emphasis on lyricism. It’sultimately quite a conventional love song, if very grandiose. It’s something I’m very proud of”.

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Forever develops on a distinctively hyperbolic, mythic re-imagination of urban life which lies at the heart of Famous’ upcoming mini-album ‘England’. Merrett finds it therapeutic; using theatricality and the emotional authority of art to navigate the chaos of anxiety. 

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Famous don’t chase subtlety per say. Their renowned live performances are huge, brash affairs; recalling the sad grandeur of a Vegas-era Elvis.  This music is, nonetheless, thoughtful and surprising - the band are strongly associated with the London arts-scene behind the 

Guardian 4* rated experimental theatre piece Ubu, also garnering acclaim from

 i-D.  Indeed, Ubu director Peter Price directed Forever’s poignant, rural video.

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Sharing stages with PC Music’s GFOTY, Sports Team, Horsey, Cosmo Pyke and Black Midi, Famous are at the cutting edge of the UK’s vibrant music scene, drawing from new wave,

grime, country and classical music for a unique cocktail that distinguishes them in a

busy crowd.

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Famous are Jack Merrett (vocals), Joscelin Dent-Pooley (synths),  James Ogram (synths), George Gardner (Bass), Tiernan Banks (guitar), Danny Sanders (drums).

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Famous’ debut mini-album England is out via Untitled [Recs] on May 31st.

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LIVE DATES

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6th June – Sebright Arms, London

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B I Z Z A R R E

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