Upon its original release, I waxed lyrical about The Last Dinner Party‘s debut album “Prelude To Ecstacy“, saying the band “have served up a feast that challenges expectations and leaves you wanting more. Whether you savour it in bite-sized pieces or devour it quickly, this is an album to be relished, course by exquisite course.” Months have passed, yet my appetite for The Last Dinner Party remains undiminished. “The Feminine Urge” is a standout moment on the album and a natural choice for a single.
Emily Roberts‘ surf guitar lick sets the tone, a blend of haunting and hypnotic that hooks you from the first note. Abigail Morris‘s vocal delivery is both fierce and fragile, capturing the duality of feminine strength and vulnerability. Each member shines both in the song and the video, but the gang vocals, where they all sing together, are a highlight, amplifying the song’s emotional weight and creating a profound sense of solidarity and shared experience.
The track’s inception is said to draw from an unreleased song by Lana Del Rey, “Driving in Cars With Boys,” infusing it with unique emotional depth. Abigail Morris wanted to write about her mother and the “mother wound,” an exploration of generational trauma and the evolving relationship between mothers and daughters. This song captures that moment when you realise your mother is not just ‘mum,’ but a fellow woman with her own struggles and stories. These reflections on her relationship with her mother are raw and relatable. They touch on the realisation that comes with age – that our parents are just as human as we are, with their own set of flaws and fears. It’s a beautiful, if somewhat unsettling, realisation that often hits us when we are adults ourselves.
Directed by the visionary Harv Frost, the video for “The Feminine Urge” is set in an atmospheric ballet school. Each band member is spotlighted in their own performance vignette, eventually liberating themselves through acts of rebellion within the institution’s suppressive walls. The video delivers a poignant and compelling message about feminine generational trauma, drawing from lead singer Abigail Morris‘s personal experiences.
The video’s vintage aesthetic and grandiose location perfectly complement the band’s signature sound, creating an eerie mix of beauty and sorrow. Harv Frost masterfully translates the crushing expectations placed on women into a visual montage, captivating viewers from start to finish. The otherworldly atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a dream filled with unspoken tensions and unfulfilled desires.
“The Feminine Urge” is another opportunity for The Last Dinner Party to blend poignant themes with captivating melodies. It’s a track that resonates on multiple levels, from the hauntingly beautiful instrumentation to the deeply personal lyrics. The video, with its striking visuals, only enhances the song’s impact. Long may we continue to hear these five strong women on the airwaves.
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