London band The Last Dinner Party’s new single ‘Second Best’ is a raw, defiant slice of alt-pop that channels heartbreak into theatrical rock opera.
As the third preview from their upcoming second album, From The Pyre, the track proves the band’s ascent is no accident, trading the opulent melodrama of their debut, Prelude to Ecstasy, for something more visceral and earthy.
Written by guitarist Emily Roberts, ‘Second Best’ was a live favourite for months before its official release, giving it a polished and potent edge. The song explores the familiar but agonizing dynamic of being drawn to someone who consistently treats you as an option, not a priority. Roberts’ lyrics — channeling feelings of pain, anger, and defiance — turn this romantic frustration into a cathartic anthem.
The inspiration from Sparks’ angular pop is clear, lending the track a bouncy, confident propulsion, but the final product is a testament to the band’s collaborative strength, with each member adding their own lyrical and musical flourishes. After debuting it in 2023, it’s been one of the scattered new songs that they’ve been dropping recently.
‘Second Best’ begins with a theatrical, almost operatic feel, before erupting into a propulsive and unapologetic rock chorus. Lead vocalist Abigail Morris delivers a powerhouse performance, showcasing her remarkable range and characterful delivery. She shifts from delicate vulnerability to a full-throated, almost punk-like roar, elevating the song’s emotional weight.
The intricate interplay of Aurora Nishevci’s buoyant keys, Georgia Davies’ hypnotic bassline, and Emily Roberts’ fiery, maximalist guitar riffs creates a soundscape that is both cinematic and intensely immediate. Throughout the three-and-a-half-minute track, perfectly poised and slightly aggressive music is meshed with the poetically vulnerable lyrics that only The Last Dinner Party could pen. From the defeated way Morris sings “your hands and tears / are lost to the wind” to the biting sass and sarcasm of the chorus line “ain’t it nice / second best”, ‘Second Best’ really propels the listener on an emotional journey loaded with the relatable failures of a doomed relationship.
Ultimately, ‘Second Best’ feels like an evolution for The Last Dinner Party. While their debut was a lavish feast, this new material is darker, more raw, and more grounded in mythic, elemental storytelling. It’s a defiant and emotionally mature track that captures the pain of being overlooked while reclaiming that vulnerability as a source of strength. Far from being “second best,” this track confidently puts The Last Dinner Party at the forefront of the new alt-rock scene, proving they can follow up a critically lauded debut with something even more powerful.
Words by Sophia McHardy
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