Weaving politics into music has always been a strong way to get across important messages to the masses, and rock has always been at the forefront of attempts to do so. British indie-rock band Cities in Dust carry on the tradition with their single titled ‘Vanishing Anarchist.’ The Reading-based band, formerly known as The Ady Baker Sound, consists of Ady Baker (vocals), Jim Dorney (bass), Billy ‘Smile’ Imrie (guitar) and Leo Brown (drums). Experimentation is at the core of the band, and their sound is an amalgamation of various styles, drawing influences from hip-hop, electronica, punk and psychedelic music. It’s an incredibly fresh sound that has the potential to surprise you, especially with Ady’s striking vocals tying it all together.
‘Vanishing Anarchist’ drew inspiration from the memoirs of Stephen Morris from New Order, and acts as a powerful criticism of certain people that we do tend to come across. It calls out those people who are vocal about their politics and claim to be activists, yet fail to act on that claim through action and instead choose to flee when the time comes to contribute with effort. Resembling acts like Kasabian and Gorillaz, the instrumentation within their song really gives it a unique character. There’s a groovy and funky aspect to it, which is thanks to the bass and the drums, while the guitars and synth-driven sounds give it a certain bluesy and electronic feel too. One thing is for certain: the vocals make an indelible impression that really brings everything together and delivers the message.
Cities in Dust can stand their ground and speak their minds through their music, and ‘Vanishing Anarchist’ is a fine example of this. Exceptionally clever songwriting, catchy rhythms, and a sense of purpose is what defines this band, and it would be difficult to not wait in anticipation for their next musical statement.