And it seems like only yesterday that we were falling head over heels for the pure heartbeat of the South London sound, absolutely mesmerized by the mystical magic of the Deptford Sound Collective. For quite some time now, they have been more than playing music; they have been bottling up the beating heart of our city streets and turning it into solid gold. We can still recall the very moment that these genre-bending anthems reached out and grabbed hold of us, the addictiveness of “Give Me. Give Me. Give Me, I Want It All,” the gravity of “#Stop Running,” the tenderness of “Miss You #Tupac,” and the rawness of “#Broke.” These were the tunes that weren’t simply playing in the backdrop of our lives; they were the soundtrack to our life’s memories, thus making this duo the absolute legends in our book. However, genius is never done, and now they’re back, ready to steal the speakers, our soul, and our world by storm. This duo released their mind-blowing single, “#KissMyArse The Queer Fight Back” on the 17th of July. It’s no longer a song; it’s a cultural earthquake, reminding us why nobody, no one at all, does it like them. Let’s get started.
It seems like everything in the universe worked together to give you an opener that requires your full concentration right from the start. The song opens up with a magnificent, fast orchestral performance that moves with incredible ease over the smooth pop rhythm background, creating an immediate sense of cinematic grandness. However, the true hero of this opening is the violin performance: sharp and exacting, it cuts through the melodic texture of the introduction like a knife through butter, leaving no doubts as to who is responsible for such amazing performance. Just when you think that there cannot be anything more intoxicating about the atmosphere of the track, the vocals enter the stage, and the magic really starts. It is an immediate conversion process: the vocals take hold of you right away and make sure that you have the experience of a lifetime ahead of you.
That initial moment leads to a pulsing heartbeat, one that begins when we talk about the themes of this song, which is because we have entered the battlegrounds of culture where this collective thrives. In the case of the release of the far-right activist Holly Valance’s anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ song by the same name, this was so hateful and virulent that it had no choice but to be banned; it only led to the far-right propaganda machine using it in the guise of free speech. But what better way than for the Deptford Sound Collective to take on that ugliness and turn it around to orchestrate the most powerful form of cultural revenge? From devious humor to cutting satire, they have turned things around by destroying Valance’s ugly politics through catchy hooks, grooves that are undeniable, and heels that are gloriously unapologetic. In a time where the LGBTQ community still faces constant exclusion and hostility, even during a time when their very right to marry each other is finally won after years of struggle, this is the perfect musical response. This is a masterpiece of musical expression that manages to strike the perfect balance between humor and activism.
And there’s where we hit the heart and soul of what makes this group so important to us all. The Deptford Sound Collective sees their reaction as being more than just a song; they see it as a necessary response, a roar of defiance and truth stating that the freedom of expression works two ways and gives us the right to speak out against discrimination and be proud of who we are as LGBTQ+ people.
As one spokesperson for the collective says so powerfully, “This song is our fightback. Where hate attempts to use music to ridicule and divide our community, we respond with artistry, pride, and defiant truth.” (#KissMyArse The Queer Fight Back) turns the tables in the most magnificent fashion possible, acting as a triumphant, adrenaline-fueled testament to the entire world that love is always, without fail, louder than hate. This song rises up as one breathtaking continuation of the group’s legacy of fearlessness in their artistry, brilliantly following up from their last efforts, and reaffirming their commitment to equality and civil rights.
This particular single is an absolute testament to the fearlessness of a bold musical response to Valance’s notorious song, taking back the narrative in spectacular fashion and transforming shallow ridicule into a powerful tool of defiance and resilience. It brims with the power of a call to arms, supporting the messages of unity, steadfast dignity, and joyful queerness despite the growing wave of hatred and poisonous discourse. One of the greatest joys in being such a devoted supporter is witnessing how the group continues to surprise and amaze through constant reinvention. It is now more obvious than ever that there is simply nobody else who is doing what they do in this world, and I am already sitting on the edge of my seat for what musical realm they will conquer next.
Stream “#KissMyArse The Queer Fight Back” on Spotify
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