The Last Dinner Party - From The Pyre (Album Review)
Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Written by Laura Mills
Photo: Laura Marie Cieplik
The Last Dinner Party’s debut album ‘Prelude to Ecstacy’ helped to establish them as one of the UK’s most unique bands, setting them on a path towards sold out shows and headline festival sets. Hot on its heels they have returned with a confident twist on their baroque-pop sound in the form of ‘From The Pyre’, a second LP that takes their established blueprints and doubles down rather than offering anything more versatile.
The opener Agnus Dei encapsulates that problem. It’s good, but it sounds like it’s been lifted from their previous album, hardly inspiring confidence that they have some new moves to show off. Count The Ways, though, is an entirely different kettle of fish.
The track opens with a delicious Arctic Monkeys-style riff that’s grumbling and gritty, its lyrics suggesting a breakup served with a slice of revenge. “You’ll break into my house / I’ll break into your house,” vocalist Abigail Morris sings.
The Scythe is even better, combining elements of a Wolf Alice’s indie-rock influence with Wet Leg’s irreverence. The chorus instrumental is perfectly intertwined and less pompous than their previous stuff in the best way.
Here, they sound like a rock band performing a jam that’s inviting and engaging. It’s pared back but also poetic, recalling Oscar Wilde as Morris intones: “Next time you call, I’ll be your girl / You’ll be in silk and I’ll wear my furs / We can go out I feel your mouth / Open me up butcher my heart / Please let me die on the street where you live.”
As a whole, ‘From The Pyre’ just about delivers. Fans will find more of the same if that’s what they’re after, along with a couple of intriguing diversions. The fact remains, though, that it all feels a bit rushed and doesn’t quite hit the mark given the sky-high expectations attached.
The Last Dinner Party Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu October 23 2025 - LIVERPOOL Dome at Grand Central Hall
Fri November 14 2025 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Mon November 17 2025 - EDINBURGH Corn Exchange
Tue November 18 2025 - GLASGOW Barrowland Ballroom
Thu November 20 2025 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 City Hall
Fri November 21 2025 - SHEFFIELD Octagon
Sun November 23 2025 - BRIDLINGTON Bridlington Spa
Tue November 25 2025 - NORWICH Nick Rayns LCR
Wed November 26 2025 - MANCHESTER Warehouse - Aviva Studios
Sat November 29 2025 - WOLVERHAMPTON University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall
Sun November 30 2025 - BRISTOL Prospect Building
Tue December 02 2025 - CARDIFF Utilita Arena
Thu December 04 2025 - PLYMOUTH Plymouth Pavilions
Fri December 05 2025 - BRIGHTON Centre
Sun December 07 2025 - LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
Mon December 08 2025 - LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
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