Murkage Dave delivers a striking return with the release of his new single “Swordfight In A Chicken Shop” which serves as a vivid capture of modern chaos. Produced by Tim London, the track features an impressive vocal assembly including Kayus Bankole of Young Fathers, Ellery James Roberts of WU LYF, and Lauren Auder alongside the Bournemouth Hope Youth Choir. The music relies on a brooding and pulsating rhythm to mirror the cacophony of everyday existence and the specific struggles of navigating a broken social contract. This composition represents a significant achievement in outsider-pop and provides a cathartic sonic experience for the listener.
The track showcases Dave trading lines with a chanting children’s choir during a haunting chorus that questions the current state of the cultural timeline. This work draws from a wide range of influences like Talking Heads and The Streets while maintaining the sharp social commentary established in his previous viral release “Old White Miserable & Rich”. Recorded with a focus on sincerity and satire, the song explores the information overload of the digital age. This is an essential and fearless observation of British life that hits with immediate emotional impact.
Dave continues to exert his influence as a tastemaker through his Refuge Worldwide radio show and his history with the cult Manchester club night Murkage Club. His collaboration with Mike Skinner on the touring party Tonga further solidifies his deep roots in the UK scene. Born in Leytonstone and seasoned in Manchester, his perspective blends R&B origins with indie sensibilities. This latest single arrives alongside the announcement of major headline shows in London and Manchester to support his expanding catalog.
The success of his previous albums ‘Murkage Dave Changed My Life’ and ‘The City Needs A Hero’ established a high bar for storytelling and independent chart success. This new material maintains that trajectory by using concrete musical outcomes to describe the feeling of being compelled to play the game of modern life. The arrangement allows the various guest vocalists to weave through the rhythm section with total precision. It is a masterful display of curation and songwriting that reflects the world with unfiltered honesty.