Young Fathers - Shame

A month after announcing their new album White Men Are Black Men Too and releasing the LP’s lead single, Young Fathers have shared a follow-up single in support of the project entitled “Shame.” With less than a month to go before White Men Are Black Men Too hits retailers and the trio hit the road, expect songs like “Shame” and “Rain Or Shine” to lead the way as the Mercury Prize-winning act attempts to build anticipation and earn attention for their next move. In the vein of the cryptic statements made when the initial announcement regarding their forthcoming album, the band have released another interesting description to go along with today’s release. You can read Young Fathers’ statement regarding “Shame” below, and listen to the song above. White Men Are Black Men Too will see release on April 7.

Yes, you are on your way to work. Yes, you are late but you don’t give a fuck. That’s not why you’re flat-footing it up the concrete steps, feeling that rough corner burn on the palm of your hand. That’s not why you’re sweating (on the inside! The inside!) or why tendons are twitching and flicking the ends of your toes while you wait, tapping, for the gap in the revolving door to swing too slowly your way.

It’s not because you did something wrong and now there are people, the police, sending sirens, howling like dogs after your heels. They won’t catch you, not worried. Fuck ‘em.

It’s not because you’re running from school, from the sight of your face in the steamy glass as you arrive for another day of drear, running towards unknown fields.

It’s because… this prodding, insistent (move it! Pick up! Come on!) this audio whip, this escalator gone mad in your ears and then that slow down and the choir (The Leith Congregational Choir no less) and what does it take to feel better? When will you be happy again? Who cares. Keep moving and then, a moment and you realise, hey I’m happy, just now, right now and it comes home and you feel no shame. No. Shame.

Take a breath.