Model/Actriz “make use of the melancholia” on dark, industrial new single ‘Diva’ – NME

The Brooklyn band’s second album ‚Pirouette‘ is out next month
Model/Actriz have shared the latest single from their new album ‘Pirouette’ – listen to ‘Diva’ below.
The Brooklyn-based band announced their second album in February, with the follow-up to 2023’s ‘Dogsbody’ set to be released on May 2 via True Panther Records in the US and Dirty Hit in the rest of the world. You can pre-order/pre-save it here.
They’ve already teased the record with the single ‘Doves’ and ‘Cinderella’, and now that has been followed up by ‘Diva’, a dark industrial track that clatters and prowls before giving way to an intoxicatingly danceable rhythm. Listen to it here:

Frontman Cole Haden wrote the song’s lyrics while recording in the studio, and has said about the song: “The writing on ‘Pirouette’ as a whole feels more conversational than anything we’ve done before; however, the process that begot ‘Diva’ was the most off-the-cuff of any of the tracks on the album.  Unlike most songs of ours which feel necessary to be written feverishly in a vacuum, these lyrics largely came together in the booth, and the character of this song really fell into place once I traded my pen for a glass of wine.”
“The song takes place on a date, and the song references many of the real ones I’ve been on while on tour. Specifically, I’m remembering the times where frivolity shifted to mourning as we both realized we may never see each other again once the night is over. What I’ve learned is that in order to be ‘that bitch,’ one must make use of the melancholia.”
The band have also announced dates across North America and Europe, which will see them play in London at Lido Festival, Manchester at Outbreak Festival and Lisbon and Madrid at Kalorama Festival. Tickets for their announced headline shows are on sale, and you can find the full list of dates here and ticket here for the US and here for the UK.
Speaking to NME in 2023, Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten described Model/Actriz’s gigs with high praise: “They’re such a mad, thrilling live band, particularly when they attack the bass. The energy is just crazy and fucking cool.”
In their interview for NME‘s The Cover, the band’s Ruben Radleur discussed how they have developed their reputation in the live arena. “Releasing ‘Dogsbody’ was one of the most important days of my life; it really was a coming-of-age moment,” he said.
“We’re just so grateful to be able to be playing live again. When we have the opportunity to give it our all, we do – that’s who we are and it’s our duty.”
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