THE DROP
Masked British outfit PRESIDENT just dropped a visualizer for "Dark Heaven," the latest single off their debut full-length *Blood Of Your Empire* (out September 4 via Atlantic) *. The video captures actual fan reactions recorded in a church during an exclusive first listen — because apparently nothing says "contradictions of faith" like watching people hear your song about religious hypocrisy in a house of worship *†.
WHAT TO KNOW
- The track features seasick distortion that drains into 808-laden beats, with screeched production effects and dark-crooned lyrics like "Dying inside / I wish I could drift away / I'm so tired of hurting" *†
- *Blood Of Your Empire* drops September 4 with 10 tracks including a collaboration with Ando San on "Hate Figure"; the album cover is a Delacroix painting from the Louvre *
- PRESIDENT is widely rumored to be fronted by Charlie Simpson (Busted/Fightstar) and just wrapped a U.S. run supporting Bad Omens *
- Their fall headline tour (September 4–October 14) is already completely sold out *
THE TAKE
The band describes "Dark Heaven" as exploring "how something intended to unite humanity has so often been used to justify division, violence, and power" *, and the sonic palette — distorted guitars meeting trap-influenced beats — suggests they're aiming for something heavier and weirder than Simpson's previous work. Filming fan reactions in a church for a song questioning organized religion is either brilliantly on-the-nose or painfully literal, depending on how much you trust a band operating behind masks.