Dead Can Dance’s new song “Our Day Will Come” featured on Stereogum.
Dead Can Dance, an Australian duo from the ’80s and ’90s, created music that transcended traditional boundaries by drawing inspiration from various global traditions. Their distinctive sound did not fit neatly into any particular genre, spanning beyond goth, post-punk, art-rock, or dream-pop categories. After parting ways in 1998, Lisa Gerrard pursued a successful career in film scoring. However, the duo reunited in 2012 with Anastasis and later released Dionysus in 2018. Recently, they dropped their first new single in years, titled “Our Day Will Come,” which celebrates unity between Irish and Palestinian communities.
“Our Day Will Come” captures the essence of Dead Can Dance’s signature sound: ethereal and resilient. Although Lisa Gerrard is absent from the track, Brendan Perry’s influence is unmistakable. This release marks the first under the Dead Can Dance moniker since “Mushin,” a collaborative project with filmmaker Graham Wood. Proceeds from the single will support Medical Aid For Palestinians (MAP), aligning with the track’s theme of solidarity between the Irish and Palestinian people.
In a heartfelt message on Bandcamp, Dead Can Dance shares the inspiration behind “Our Day Will Come.” The song’s title, a translation of the traditional Irish Republican slogan Tiocfaidh ár lá, reflects the shared aspirations of both nations for independence and unity. Particularly poignant in light of the ongoing crisis in Palestine, the track underscores the strong bond between these two cultures.
Amidst their return to the music scene, Dead Can Dance made a bold decision to no longer distribute their music on streaming platforms. Instead, they will release new material exclusively through their own Holy Tongue label on Bandcamp. The duo expresses their dissatisfaction with streaming services that exploit artists and promote AI-generated music. “Our Day Will Come” serves as the inaugural release in a series of monthly singles available through this new platform.
Looking ahead, Dead Can Dance reaffirms their commitment to sharing their music directly with fans through Holy Tongue Records on Bandcamp. With a clear message of support for independent artists and a focus on connecting with their audience, the duo takes a bold step towards reclaiming control of their creative output. As they continue to release new music, fans can anticipate a fresh wave of evocative and boundary-pushing tracks from this iconic duo.