New Music: shame - Quiet Life

Shame (stylised in all lowercase) is an English post-punk band from South London, England, formed in 2014. The quintet consists of Charlie Steen (lead vocals), Sean Coyle-Smith (guitar), Eddie Green (guitar), Josh Finerty (bass), and Charlie Forbes (drums). They quickly rose to prominence in the late 2010s for their bracing, visceral live performances and sharp, often politically charged, social commentary.

Their sound blends the raw energy of punk with the angularity of post-punk and the melodic sensibilities of indie rock, drawing comparisons to acts like The Fall and Television Personalities. Shame has released three critically acclaimed studio albums: Songs of Praise (2018), Drunk Tank Pink (2021), and Food for Worms (2023). They are known for their witty lyrics, dynamic shifts, and an unflinching approach to challenging themselves and their audience. Their forthcoming album, Cutthroat, produced by Grammy winner John Congleton, is set to further evolve their sound.

"Quiet Life" is a new single by Shame, officially released on July 8, 2025. It is the second single to be previewed from their upcoming fourth studio album, "Cutthroat," which is scheduled for release on September 5, 2025, via Dead Oceans.

Lyrically, "Quiet Life" delves into the complexities and struggles of being in a toxic or "shitty relationship." As vocalist Charlie Steen explains, the song is about "the judgment they receive and the struggle that they have to go through, trying to understand the conflict they face, of wanting a better life… but being stuck." The lyrics convey a sense of being trapped and the difficulty of breaking free, with lines like: "Spent too much time on my knees. / Round here nothing's good for me, / But I still can't make the choice to leave."

Musically, "Quiet Life" leans into rockabilly influences, with a sound reminiscent of The Gun Club and The Cramps, showcasing "all guitar spasms and shivering vocals." The track offers a "twangy" and "rattler" feel, combining a classic rock 'n' roll energy with Shame's characteristic post-punk edge. The song is accompanied by a "bold new video" directed by Pedro Takahashi, depicting the band and friends unleashing frustrations in a run-down office building.

Band Page: https://www.instagram.com/shame/