Few bands manage to blur the lines between music, art, and escapism quite like Dirty Nice. Currently split between London and Lisbon, they’ve been building a cult following with their unique brand of surrealist “cartoon-pop” – the combined forces of animation and indie music wild at play. On their third album, they throw open the gates to Planet Weekend (23rd May, Chiverin Records), an amusement park inspired by 90s television adverts, their most ambitious project yet.

“Come on down to Planet Weekend amusement park and lose yourself in a world of excitement, where every day feels like the weekend!”

Led by the inventive duo of Charlie Pelling and Mark Thompson, Dirty Nice have a knack for pulling you into their oddball world. Known for their self-made animations as well as their music, they’ve created a multi-sensory experience online that’s as much about the visuals as it is the hooks. Think MGMT’s day-glo pop meets the Flaming Lips’ psychedelic theatrics, but with a distinctly British eccentricity that also draws inspiration from Charlie’s time composing for Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared.

“Why not take a dip at the Planet Weekend ‘Wave Pool Lagoon & Log Flume’ and jump right in to the weekend!?”

Leaning into their signature cocktail of glitch-pop and guitar-driven funky, psychedelic indie, Planet Weekend explores themes of isolation, love, fantasy, and the hazy limbo between virtual and real life. Whether it’s the blissed-out melancholy of “If I Was Abducted by Aliens” or the joyous refrain of “Another Life” Dirty Nice manage to tread the line between heartfelt and fun with ease.

“Why not forget your sad and relentless existence, find another life in the ‘Arcade Cave’!”

Although Planet Weekend sees them reaching new heights; earlier albums, Surrenderland (2023) and Lobster (2021), already hinted at their potential. Tracks like SHARK!, which made its way onto the BBC Radio 1 playlist, and ‘This Is Gonna Hurt’, which Chris Hawkins uses as his audio-bed most days on 6 Music, showcased their knack for crafting earworms; while Rolling Stone, DIY, MTV and The Line of Best Fit also praised their surreal, otherworldly charm. Live, they’ve turned heads too – 2024’s UK tour saw fans packing into venues to experience what can only be described as a trip through Dirty Nice’s “weird and wonderful” universe.

Dirty Nice’s ever-snowballing online following only adds to their allure. Their social media is a warren of animated characters, strange humour, and visuals that echo the playful, escapist tone of their music. This unique brand of artistry – animated shorts and bizarre visuals to accompany singles has made them more than just a band. They’re multimedia artists with a clear vision, inviting fans into a trippy, meticulously crafted world where each song feels like a vignette in a broader story.

With Planet Weekend, Dirty Nice invite you to step inside their world – a surreal amusement park where every melody feels like a tilt-a-whirl and every lyric has an emotional sucker punch lurking just under the surface. It’s fun. It’s escapist. It’s existential. If Dirty Nice aren’t already on your radar, it’s time to book your ticket. This isn’t just an album; it’s an experience. One that’ll leave you feeling a little strange, a little nostalgic, and maybe even a little more human.

“C’mon already!

So cancel that plan, quit your job and come and live another life at Planet Weekend!