Bastilles Dan Smith on accidentally predicting pandemic with album – Metro.co.uk

Bastille coincidentally began working on their album in 2019- before the pandemic (Picture: Getty Images)

Bastille clearly have an accurate crystal ball because the band have accidentally recorded an album about an apocalyptic world that sounds a hell of a lot similar to our current, real life pandemic.

The Pompeii hitmakers are set to release their fourth studio album, Give Me The Future, in February.

It features themes of an apocalyptic future where humanity relies heavily on new technology while exploring the dark side of lives lived online, with playful yet thought-provoking pop vibes.

However, the catch is that the band actually began working on the album in 2019 months before the real life pandemic unfolded and long before the majority of us were introduced to Zoom.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk about the record, Dan said: We accidentally always seem to be one step ahead. Our last album was about a house party during the apocalypse and being stuck inside and looking outside and seeing the world falling apart. Little did we know that that 2020 version of the apocalypse would happen.

A lot of our fans were calling us out but we were like, It wasnt on purpose, we didnt know.

The singer speaking ahead of Bastilles MTV UK Unplugged airing tonight continued: We did start thinking about it and writing about it before the pandemic but obviously with the lockdowns and everything happening in the world, it only served to help and give us more ammunition to write about how complex and strange our relationship with technology is now that its seeped into every corner of life every aspect of what we do, how we live and interact with each other, in amazing ways but also sort of dark f****d up ways as well.

It feels fitting to have made an album sometimes remotely, sometimes over Zoom in very separate ways but also collaboratively.

Give Me The Future features the track Thelma & Louise, a nod to the classic 90s crime drama, and is also inspired by sci-fi films such as The Matrix and Ex Machina.

Dan had a ball rewatching these movies through a 2021 lens and explained: Thats what fascinated me and it was really fun to decide that the album was going to be science fiction because theres this genre of literature and film exist where people have imagined versions of the future that speak to the present and things that are going on.

Its fascinating in science-fiction that peoples imagined future is manifested in real life in terms of how society develops and technologically.

Matrix, for example, or Minority Reports a really interesting one because thats a film where within it theres driverless cars and advertising that speaks to you directly personally. Since that film came out until now, all of those things have happened and more.

Thats whats weird with sci-fi is we look back and were beyond them.

Bastille will appear on screens tonight with their acoustic session for MTV Unplugged, performing minimalist versions of their biggest hits such as Pompeii, Of The Night and Happier.

Dan said of the anticipated set: Were so honoured to be asked to be part of it. As a band weve always had different strands of what we do, we have our albums but in the years since weve been touring, its always been a challenge to strip those songs back and do intimate acoustic versions.

As a band weve always really enjoyed trying to break out of the conventions of what people would expect of just four blokes in a band or any kind of indie labels we might be given.

Thats what I love about being in Bastille is that there are no rules.

Fans may have noticed a theme with Bastille over the years they love a Christmas song.

In 2014, they featured on the charity single Do They Know Its Christmas? as part of Band Aid 30, and covered Slades Merry Xmas Everybody last year.

Can we expect an anthemic festive album from Bastille in the future?

Dan laughed: In lockdown last year me and my friend started writing a bunch of Christmas songs. Maybe well build up a little collection of stuff. Its always fascinating every year to see which artists have decided to take that plunge into the Christmas world.

I dont think were there yet but if were lucky enough to still have this job in a couple of years then maybe.

I think everyone wants to crack that, dont they? To write a Christmas song that is both original and interesting but also speaks to the things that people want to think about at that time of year, he added.

MTV Unplugged: Bastille airs Thursday, December 23 at 9pm on MTV UK.

Bastilles new album Give Me The Future is out on February 4, 2022.

Got a story?

If youve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page wed love to hear from you.

MORE : Louise Thompson nearly died as she reveals she gave birth to son weeks ago: Ive been in hospital for a month with various serious complications

MORE : Batman returns: Michael Keaton to reprise iconic superhero role in new DC movie Batgirl

View original post here:
Bastilles Dan Smith on accidentally predicting pandemic with album - Metro.co.uk