The Lathums are tipped for big things. In March they signed a seven-figure multi-album deal with the prestigious Island Records and their extended EP The Memories We Make debuting into the UK Album Chart earlier this week.
Riding on this wave of hype and success, the Wigan four piece have released new single All My Life for their growing fan base to devour. Supporting this release is an absolutely timeless video which features the band larking around their hometowns post-industrial streets and neighbouring fields. Shot entirely on vintage Super 8 film, the video feels like an archive video on display to discuss the disillusionment of teenagers in a Northern industrial town in the 1970’s or ‘80s. A pretty stark contrast to the boys optimistic future.
Recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, not only is the single their first major label release but it’s also the first song frontman Alex Moore ever wrote. At the time of writing Moore was just 16 years old, and what some might call an old soul.
Now aged 20 and looking back, Moore claims:
The message of the song is significant for me, it was borne out of desperation, pain and anger. I am not sure why. I had already had a lot of life experience by then, I was and still feel like an old head on young shoulders. When I read the lyrics it’s actually quite optimistic, so I was probably looking to my guitar to escape. Make sense of the world. Make a new version of the world for myself.
Perhaps part of their success so far is Moore’s articulate ability to tackle topics with the maturity of someone twice his age. The Lathums songs topics cover from the French Resistance to the Digital Revolution and back again; all soundtracked by some chilled out melodies and irrepressible optimism. They remind me of The Enemy on their debut, but less depressing.
Another factor has to be their formidable live reputation formed around singalong choruses. Their debut headline tour sold out in a day demanding several venue upgrades. The boys are also set to join Blossoms, DMA’s and Paul Weller on their post-lockdown tour dates.