Zac Lawrence

“truly beautiful” So Young

“a moonlit busker serenade” Backseat Mafia

“adds another dimension to the singer’s impressive repertoire” God Is In The TV

“Carries the torch of timeless musical storytelling” Hideous Mag

Released today (1st December) DEADLETTER frontman Zac Lawrence shares debut solo album The Hate - a 10 song set embracing themes of love, vigilantism, isolation and self-destruction.

Written between 2020-22, and recorded/mixed this year entirely by Lawrence himself - featuring DEADLETTER band mates Poppy Richler (Saxophone) and Alfie Husband (drums), plus South London folk artist Misty Miller - his solo work presents an altogether more home-spun musical palette that draws from the classic singer/songwriters of the 70s: the violin-coloured ballads of Dylan's Desire, rich with vocal harmony; the threadbare heart-on-sleeve confessionalism of Towns Van Zandt; that distinctly British-take on Americana à la The Kinks' Muswell Hillbillies.

While bearing little musical resemblance to Lawrence's work as the charismatic, high-energy front man of aforementioned post-punks, binding the two projects together is Lawrence's commanding, gravelly vocal, a knack for a catchy chorus and the sharpest, left-field turn of wit.

 In-between honey-sweet romantic declarations ("Don’t want to sound bore-ish /You really are moreish") and literary references to Steinbecks' Grapes of Wrath or 19th century 'two-faced' Aristocrat Edward Mordrake; amidst Dylan-esque absurdo-narratives on Carnival trips and frank discussions on Lawrence's personal battles with sobriety, The Hate pushes to the forefront the talents of an immersive songwriter and songwriter. 

Describing the project in his own words, Lawrence simply states:

"If DEADLETTER is me howling at the moon in a far away valley, then this is me making small talk with a lamp in my bedroom.”

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Releasing final album teaser 'Man Overboard' in early November, the release of The Hate follows the support of Spotify Melomania, DORK, So Young, Rough Trade, God Is In the TV, Blogotheque, Post-Brexit Pop and Backseat Mafia in recent weeks.

Credits: Zac Lawrence - (lead vocals, backing vocals, bass, guitar, 12-string guitar, keys, strings, percussion), Misty Miller (backing vocals), Poppy Richler (saxophone) and Alfie Husband (drums).