Track of the Day: Def Nettle - 'Architecture'

Post-funk and alt-punk band Def Nettle have dropped their new single ‘Architecture’ today, alongside a video.

‘Architecture’ is a goth ode to frontman Glen Brady’s hometown of Dublin and his melancholic youth. Despite the loneliness at the song’s core — “When it rains in Dublin / You can hug the buildings / Go where you want / Like when we were children” — the track is addictively danceable.

Underneath the lyrics, there’s a pulsing and stomping rhythm influenced by pre-madchester beats and guitars that appear to be antithesis of the lyrics. The jagged but entrancing guitar sounds lead the way to a more self-assured place that reflects the community of adulthood and the rave scene's arrival.

“‘Architecture’ in a lyrical sense is a look back at a greyer, more isolated time in my life," Glen Brady says. "There’s a sense of waiting and wanting things to happen but not being entirely sure if they will. It’s set in an early ‘90s Dublin just post-adolescence. The heart is heavy like the autumnal atmosphere of the lyrics. I travel around the dark, pre-Celtic Tiger city on foot, lost with nowhere to go, out in the rain, hiding from the deluge, hugging the buildings."

The single is accompanied by an atmospheric video that portrays the Dublin the song describes.

“With 'Architecture' I am really finding my place in the songs and finding the sound I've wanted for the band: Hugely influenced by my roots but pushing my way into the future," Brady adds. "It's as much late ‘80s as it is 2020s. It's dark and autumnal but it’s also overwhelming live, just like all my favorite indie and goth bands from my teenage years. Now it's time to take it to the stage and kick ass in the live arena,” says Glen.

The native Dubliner by way of New York, Berlin and San Francisco has worked at the top of his field in every aspect of music production, performance, and DJing for almost three decades, making music with the likes of R.E.M., Dominique Keegan (The Glass, Plant Records ) and the California State Symphony.

Brady has toured as a member of DARK with Andy Rourke (The Smiths) and his friend, the late Dolores O’Riordan; having mixed their album, Science Agrees.

‘Architecture’ follows ‘War Machine,’ which featured Andy Rourke of The Smiths and received extensive radio play across Ireland and the UK.

Def Nettle’s debut single ‘The Pills’ was included on Apple Music’s ‘New In Rock’ editorial playlist and enjoyed significant airplay across Irish radio. A television performance on Virgin Media TV’s Fanning at Whelans will be aired over the coming months.

Def Nettle will support Scattered Ashes at The Workman’s Club, Dublin this Friday, 18th November.