Matter Does Not Define (Dinked Edition #320)

Defiance, vulnerability, pride and the excuse to let loose are all promised by The Lathums. Under no influence yet emerging into long shadows cast by comparisons to The Smiths and Arctic Monkeys, The Lathums brought light with debut album, How Beautiful Life Can Be in 2021 and shone brighter still on follow-up, From Nothing To A Little Bit More in 2023. The arrival of ‘Matter Does Not Define’, sees the opening credits roll on the four-piece’s third, thrilling season.

‘Matter Does Not Define’ was written by the band, comprised of Moore, Scott Concepcion (guitars, piano and vocals) Ryan Durrans (drums) and Matty Murphy (bass and vocals), in their native Wigan before recording at Kempston Street Studios, Liverpool in the company of long-term creative guide, John Kettle and producer, Chris Taylor. Proving prolific with a 12-song track listing, ‘Matter Does Not Define’ not only follows the band’s chart-topping second album, but their classic indie debut, 2021’s ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’. 

Honesty, hope and heartbreak feature in the poetry-laced music of The Lathums. Everything sung from the heart, four young men from an overlooked town in England’s north gathered as teenagers without ego or expectation and set about changing the lives of the people that gathered round them. From the earliest strains of ‘Fight On’ to the closing chord of ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’, the words of shy indie icon, Alex Moore, coupled with the chiming riffs of guitarist, Scott Concepcion and restrained rhythmic back bone of drummer, Ryan Durrans and bassist, Matty Murphy, have sought to bring fervor to Saturday nights as much as soothe Sunday mornings. The Lathums have proved themselves to be a band for all times and all people.

Side A

1. Leave No Stone Unturned

2. Reflections Of Lessons Left

3. Stellar Cast

4. Heartbreaker

5. Dynamite 

6. Unrequited Love

Side B

1. No Direction

2. Until Our Bitter End 

3. Knocking At Your Door

4. The Jester 

5. Surrounded By Beauty 

6. Long Shadows

Bonus 7” 

1. Love Of My Life

2. Gull In The Wind