On September 13, 2024, God Colony released their latest EP, North West Tonight, which draws inspiration from the forgotten underground rave scene in Liverpool. The project navigates a landscape blending nostalgia for 80s raves with contemporary club sounds, as the duo aims to outline a sonic journey reflective of their hometown's past and present.
The EP features a cover image of an arch reminiscent of the former Paradox club, which is now a Sports Direct store, serving as a symbol of lost nightlife venues in the region. The track Rhyl Sun Centre pays homage to a now-defunct indoor pool that once catered to many. "We were thinking about the freedom of that time and wanted to capture that on our own terms," said Thomas Gorton, one half of God Colony, in an interview with Dazed.
Alongside Gorton, James Rand elaborates on the shifting landscape of Liverpool's club culture. "When we were growing up in Liverpool, nearly every building in the city center seemed to be a nightclub or a venue. Now, that's changed and clubs are shutting constantly... these places aren't taken seriously and knocked down in favor of soulless, cheaply assembled flats with a Waitrose at the bottom. Clubs mesh people together, and blocks of flats often do the exact opposite."
Musically, North West Tonight captures the duo's mission to present a sound that is decisively theirs, emerging from their shared experiences of attending raves by DJs like Marcel Dettmann and Ricardo Villalobos. The production contains vibrant basslines and soaring synths, while lyrical contributions from collaborators such as Flohio and Jelani Blackman resonate with both the historic and current facets of UK club culture.
The closing track, The Paradox, features contributions from Liverpool poet Roy (also known as PJ Smith), who shares nostalgic reflections that bridge the past and present. North West Tonight encapsulates a unique cultural commentary, serving as a celebration of Liverpool's hedonistic roots while looking towards an uncertain future for its club spaces.
The EP is now available for streaming.