Album review: Meryl Streek – Songs For The Deceased

Songs For The Deceased is a heavy listen. Not necessarily instrumentally, but thematically. Across his own frank, spoken word lyrics and genre bending instrumentals, Dublin punk Meryl Streek attacks everything from greedy landlords, to controversial politicians, to rising suicide rates, and even tragic historical events.

Structurally, the album remains similar to his 2022 debut, 796. But this time, things feel a little darker. SFTD mixes traditional flavours of Irish folk with modern production and dreamy soundscapes, all in contradiction to vicious slam poetry. Though inspired heavily by stories from his hometown, the themes unpicked here feel apt for many. Whether it be in the UK or further overseas, Meryl Streek doesn’t want us to take bullshit from corrupt leaders or capitalism. He wants us to - at the very least - allow ourselves to feel angry about things.

‘Don’t let these pricks stop you,’ he yells on Fine Jail, calling for the listener to live artistic lives and do whatever feels fulfilling. Even more universal is If This Is Life, making sense of the guilt we may feel for being unhappy with the lives we have, even when we still can feel blessed for the little things. You can be grateful that you have somewhere to live, and still be pissed that you can barely cover the rent.

Songs For The Deceased is a bleak but important listen. It is an anti-streaming record, made with intent and not to be digested lightly. It hits hard for anyone who has felt let down by their leaders or who has faced life on the breadline.

While some people try to avert their eyes from the hardships unfolding, Meryl Streek places two firm but well-intended hands on their head, and turns it to make them face the chaos. It’s almost as if he asks, “well, what are we gonna do about it?” and invites you to feel the rage.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Bob Vylan, High Vis, Kneecap

Songs For The Deceased is released on October 25 via Venn Records