Dilly Dally announced in March via Instagram that they had decided to break up, but not before releasing two final songs and announcing two last shows. Their post reads, “It’s time for us to move forward and continue our journeys separately. We wanted to say goodbye on a positive note. That’s why we are self-releasing two new songs today. Recorded close to home in Toronto, they came about naturally over the last year or so.”
They thanked fans and fellow artists alike: “Thank you to anyone who’s ever come to see us perform, the artists who’ve inspired us, and everyone in the extended DD family…For anyone who’s shown support in any way, from fans to friends to collaborators: We could not have accomplished what we did without each of you, and will be forever grateful. Xoxo.”
Originally formed in 2009 by childhood friends Enda Monks and Liz Ball, the band later expanded to include Annie Jane Marie and Benjamin Reinhartz. Most recently, the band supported My Chemical Romance on the U.S. leg of their tour. Dilly Dally’s sold-out, final shows will be in Toronto, Canada on May 27 and 28.
As for the two new singles, it’s clear Dilly Dally put a lot of thought into the band’s coda. Jesse Turnbull produced and mixed the two song sand Dan Weston mastered. The first single “Morning Light” highlights the two central features present within every Dilly Dally song: their swampy guitar tones and the raspy yet ethereal voice of Monks. They drive home this point in the poignant bridge of the song. Monks sings, “Lost my will. Lost my way,” over and over again. The song fades away to the sound of flapping wings and chirping birds.
The band’s swan song “The Colour of Joy,” showcases the band’s ragged energy, seething with both ferocity and hope. The song, much like the band, ends on a positive note.” Now, we’re watching sunsets.” The sun is setting on Dilly Dally and welcoming them into the night—into the unknown. Perhaps even more fitting is that the two singles cover an entire day; from the first light of the day to the sun’s final spectacular feat, the sun set.
What’s next for the members of Dilly Dally is uncertain. However, one thing remains clear: though their grungy, melancholic sound will be missed, it won’t be the last we see of Monks, Ball, Marie, and Reinhartz—even if it is their last group effort.
You can stream their new singles on bandcamp and Spotify.
Dilly Dally are also having a close-out sale on their merch store.
