Newcastle trio The Pale White have released a new version of their 2016 demo ‘That Dress,’ alongside a new music video for the track.
The original version of ‘That Dress’ exists currently as the second public release by the band, as a demo. It is their most popular track on streaming services like Spotify, performed live as a mashup with ‘Second Place.’ The band has performed alongside The Libertines, Noel Gallagher, and have supported Sam Fender on multiple occasions around Europe.
The band consist of lead vocalist and guitarist Adam Hope, bassist Tom Booth and drummer Jack Hope. In an interview with Dork last year, the band stated that the lockdown and free time was the best opportunity for them to record a new album. Despite the releases of the Take Me to the Strange EP in 2018, and their 2017 self-titled release, they are yet to have produced a debut album. April 2021 will see the release of ‘Infinite Pleasure,’ an eleven-track album featuring previously heard tracks like ‘Take Your Time’ and ‘Medicine.’
Defined by the band as the ‘New and improved recipe,’ the 2021 rendition features initially more muted tones from their bass and guitar melodies, whilst still keeping the identity of the original track. Seemingly slightly slower, the track sounds much more like a full single compared to the demo, with added lines of vocals and backing melodies:
“Show me the door when I need more / Now I get less / When you’re around“
The music video to accompany the track is set around the band’s hometown of Newcastle, with recognisable shots of venues like Wylam Brewery. The plot follows three apparent robbers, wearing ski masks and wedding dressing, approaching a bank to steal cash and valuables. Despite the inconvenient attire, the apparently successful heist begins to be foiled by a group of SWAT team-esque authority figures, who might have just been in on the whole thing.
Lyrics like “You can take what you like” directly correlate with the video and themes of theft, suggesting that a hefty amount of work went into the direction and choreography of the shoot. The video was choreographed by Joe François, and directed by Chris Kirtley. His work will be familiar to fans who have seen other music videos by The Pale White, like ‘Glue.’
The whole routine is immaculately organised, down to the figures gesturing with bridal bouquets as though they were guns in a heist. The footage features a cameo from vocalist Adam Hope, as a caretaker who is paid to keep quiet about the affair.
The track’s bridge differentiates heavily from the original demo, bringing forth the conception of a wholly new track. It feels very much like a middle eight that Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) or Mike Kerr (Royal Blood) would produce. This is also reflected in the closing cadence, illustrating that every second of a track counts.
Many would assume that audiences don’t really want to hear a song they’ve already heard before, particularly when it has been released so long and seemingly felt almost forgotten about. However, The Pale White have proven that they could release forty more renditions of this track, and we would all be ready for it.
Do people really want to hear a new version of a five-year-old demo? When it comes to The Pale White, fucking obviously.
