“Say it so straight-faced as I’m burning myself to death in your hollow morgue.”
Static Dress is back, and they’re here in full force. Releasing a new track, “human props“, which is a scathing critique of the state of the music industry, the post-hardcore icons double down on their stance, standing their ground and doing so in spectacular fashion. Alongside this comes the exciting news that the band has signed to Sumerian Records, home to titans such as Bad Omens, Poppy, and even The Smashing Pumpkins.
No strangers to the scene, the lads are back, and they’re here to make some noise, once more calling out the liars, fakes, and ladder-climbing snakes who make up the music industry in the modern day. This is a stance they’ve been consistently preaching for some time now. Channelling their disdain into a rollercoaster of a track, “human props” sees the band at their catchiest, bluntest, and most vulnerable. Rejecting the modern polished sound pushed upon many nowadays, they stay true to their roots, with every second retaining a raw, visceral energy, and a palpable sense of emotion – something severely lacking in many modern releases. Jagged guitars and rapidly shifting drumwork underpin this behemoth, with vocalist Olli Appleyard trading blows back and forth with himself, jumping from one vocal style to another seamlessly.
It’s more than just a critique on the industry, though; it’s a bold “fuck you” to the vacant listener as well. It’s a statement that music is more than just a passive medium to be liked and forgotten; it’s a labour of love, a work of art, and it deserves to be seen as such. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Static Dress is a band that transcends just the music they make; they craft something otherworldly, with visuals and branding to accompany, and “human props” is no exception. The accompanying music video only goes to drive the band’s message home, showcasing new characters Sarah & Maeve, twins who are constantly hounded, famed, and adored for their unique look and mannerisms. Those already invested in the band’s lore will have plenty to dig into here, with the video taking a dark turn, descending into oppression, and kicking off the next chapter of the long-running lore saga the band has been telling.
On signing to Sumerian, the band wanted to make one thing clear: this is a collaboration, not a deal. Sumerian president, Shawn Kieth notes that this is Sumerian’s opportunity to invest in new blood, ushering in a new era of authentic and unconventional talent. As for the band, they had the following to say:
“Shawn and the rest of Sumerian have believed in Static Dress for years, completely selflessly. Now, our paths have finally crossed at just the correct time, allowing us to execute this band in the way we always wanted to.
No compromises, no forced ideas, no inauthenticities.
They run a label like a label should be run; actual people promoting music for fans, not just a wannabe money printing machine.”
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Static Dress, or a new fan just getting into their unique and impressive brand of post-hardcore, there’s no denying that “human props” is some of the band’s best songwriting to date. With presumably more on the way, 2026 is looking to shape up into something spectacular.
You can catch Static Dress now, on tour with Paleface Swiss and Stick To Your Guns across the UK and EU, along with performances later in the year at Slam Dunk Festival.
With Paleface Swiss & Stick To Your Guns
12.01.26: Dublin Academy, Ireland
13.01.26: Belfast Limelight, N. Ireland
15.01.26: Manchester Academy 1, UK
16.01.26: Glasgow SWG 3, UK
17.01.26: London Troxy, UK
18.01.26: Bristol O2 Academy, UK
20.01.26: Bruxelles AB, Belgium
22.01.26: Wien Gasometer, Austria
23.01.26: Leipzig Haus Auensee, Germany
24.01.26: Hamburg Docks, Germany
25.01.26: Berlin Huxleys, Germany
27.01.26: München Tonhalle, Germany
28.01.26: Tilburg O13, Netherlands
29.01.26: Oberhausen Turbinenhalle, Germany
30.01.26: Wiesbaden Schlachthof, Germany
02.02.26: Toulouse Le Bikini, France
03.02.26: Madrid Wagon, Spain
04.02.26: Barcelona Razzmatazz, Spain
05.02.26: Lyon La Rayonne, France
07.02.26: Zürich Halle 622, Switzerland
Slam Dunk Festival
23.05.26: Slam Dunk Festival – South, UK
24.05.26: Slam Dunk Festival – North, UK