Deadcrush Explained

Deadcrush
Cover:Alt-J Deadcrush single.jpg
Type:single
Artist:alt-J
Album:Relaxer
Released:12 July 2017
Genre:Indietronica
Length:3:52
Producer:Charlie Andrew
Prev Title:Adeline
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Pleader
Next Year:2017

"Deadcrush" is a song by British indie rock band alt-J. It is the fifth track and fourth single from their third studio album, Relaxer, and was released as a digital single on 12 July 2017 by Infectious Music and Atlantic Records. The song was written by Joe Newman, Gus Unger-Hamiltion, and Thom Sonny Green and produced by Charlie Andrew. The song's title is based on a game the band played where they asked the question, "What historical figure would I want to take on a date if she were alive today?", and so the name "Deadcrush" is based on someone's "dead crush".[1] It features vocals from Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice. The song was also featured in the soundtrack for FIFA 18.[2]

Composition and lyrics

In an interview with NPR, the band said:[3]

Music video

A music video for the song was released on 12 July 2017. It was directed by Young Replicant, who also directed the music video for "3WW".[4] It features the band's "dead crushes": Sylvia Plath, Lee Miller, and Anne Boleyn teaming up in a post-apocalyptic world.

Official video

The choreography was designed by Darcy Wallace, performed by Leah Marojević, Alana Everett and Natalia Iwaniec.[5]

Live performances

The band performed "Deadcrush" at the 2017 Mercury Prize ceremony at the Eventim Apollo in London on 14 September 2017. Relaxer was shortlisted for the prize.[6]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal[7]

alt-J

Additional musicians

Technical

Artwork and design

Deadcrushed

Deadcrushed
Type:ep
Artist:alt-J
Length:35:13

Four remixes of "Deadcrush", by Spike Stent, Ben de Vries, Lea Porcelain, and Salute, were individually released by alt-J as digital singles in August 2017. A collection of the remix singles, excluding the remix by Spike Stent, was released as an EP on 27 September 2017 with additional remixes by Damian Lazarus, Otzeki, Miro Shot, and Vesica.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Man Ray went cray cray over you, capturing but never captured.
  2. Web site: The FIFA 18 soundtrack is here . . Tom . Connick . 14 September 2017 . 24 December 2017.
  3. Web site: alt-J's 'Relaxer,' Track By Track . . Bob . Boilen . 2 June 2017 . 5 October 2017.
  4. Web site: Alt-J Debut 'Deadcrush' Video Featuring Historical Crushes « Radio.com . 2017-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170716100018/http://radio.com/2017/07/12/alt-j-deadcrush/ . 2017-07-16 . dead .
  5. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: alt-J - Deadcrush (Official Video) . YouTube.
  6. Web site: BBC Radio 6 Music - Mercury Prize, alt-J - Deadcrush (Mercury Prize 2017).
  7. Web site: TIDAL . Listen.tidal.com . 2 June 2017 . 18 September 2017.
  8. Web site: NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 12 June 2017. 28 October 2021.
  9. Web site: Try the TIDAL Web Player.