Later Youth, the recording name of multi-instrumentalist, producer and serial collaborator Jo Dudderidge, today shares his brand new single “Statuesque”. The track is a fever dream brought to life, both literally and musically, revisiting Jo Dudderidge’s (AKA Later Youth’s) experience of a near-fatal bout of viral meningitis aged 23 while visiting Australia.
The new music arrives as Later Youth also confirm a flurry of dates for July – see full listings below.
During three harrowing weeks in hospital, caught between consciousness and delirium, Dudderidge began experiencing intensely vivid dreams, including music he’d never heard before. One such dream delivered the haunting rhythm and melody that would eventually become “Statuesque“, a track born in a lucid, hallucinatory state and remembered note for note upon his recovery. Though it would take nearly 15 years for the song to reach its final form, it remained lodged in his mind, waiting for the right moment to emerge.
| “Lyrically, the song comes from a bit of prose I wrote from the perspective of a statue in a museum. It had spent its life silently observing humans pass by, trapped inside an inanimate body. That concept became the heart of the song. I quite like how, if you don’t know the backstory, the lyrics just sound strange and cryptic — but once you know it’s a statue narrating, it all clicks. Still a weird, creepy lyric though!”, comments Jo on the latest single. |
“Statuesque” follows previous singles “The Wave”, “Arcane Love”, “Nuclear Love” and “Enabler”, all featured on Later Youth’s upcoming debut album ‘Living History’ released 4th July via Sideways Saloon.
On the album itself, Dudderidge expands, “Writing and performing songs can be a bit like historical reenactment – the further you move away from the person you used to be, the harder it becomes to separate fact from fiction. After years of moving around I suddenly found myself standing still. In that moment I was able to look back clearly enough to see this particular period of my life for what it was.”
Recording the album has been both a cathartic and a celebratory process. “The songs on the album flip between a eulogy and an elegy to this not-so-distant past”, Dudderidge continues.
ABOUT LATER YOUTH
Since fronting Manchester indie-folk favourites The Travelling Band, Jo Dudderidge has built a reputation as a sought-after producer, songwriter and session musician, working with an impressive roster of artists including Victoria Canal, Chloe Foy, Rose Gray, Stephen Fretwell, Human Interest, Joyeria, Bette Smith, and longtime collaborator Lissie.
Stepping back into the spotlight as Later Youth, Dudderidge returns his unmistakable voice and signature Wurlitzer electric piano to centre stage, blending raw, heart-on-sleeve lyricism with fresh, idiosyncratic takes on classic rock, soul, blues, and alt-country.
The album will be available on vinyl (including a limited edition indies/D2C-only cream version), CD, download and streaming.
LIVE DATES
In-store tour4 Jul – LIVERPOOL Jacaranda Records – 7.30pm5 Jul – MANCHESTER Low Four Studios (album launch show) – 7pm7 Jul – MARLBOROUGH Sound Knowledge – 6.30pm8 Jul – LONDON Rough Trade Denmark St – 5.30pm10 Jul – GOSPORT A Slice of Vinyl – 2pm12 Jul – KINGSTON Banquet – 6pm15 Jul – NORTHWICH Applestump Records – 6pm16 Jul – LEEDS Crash – 6pm
Shows supporting Josh Rouse29 Jun – HEBDEN BRIDGE Trades Club2 Jul – BIRMINGHAM Kitchen Garden Café3 Jul – CHESTER St Mary’s Creative Space9 Jul – STROUD Sub Rooms10 Jul – HASSOCKS Mid Sussex Music Hall