Revitalizing The Nightlife: “Decius Vol. II (Splendour & Obedience)” Revelation
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In January 2025, the London-based outfit Decius, consisting of brothers Liam and Luke May, Quinn Whalley, and Lias Saoudi, gave the music world a sonic treat with the release of their album, “Decius Vol. II (Splendour & Obedience)”. The ensemble, attributed to the record label The Leaf and pioneers of labels like Trashmouth Records, followed an eclectic approach to music, deriving influences from a diverse range of genres like acid house, disco, and techno.
Building upon their musical legacy initially established with their band Medicine 8, the May brothers along with Clams Baker formed Trashmouth Records in 2012. The label quickly gained a reputation for being at the epicenter of London’s thriving music scene comprised of acts like Warmduscher and the Fat White Family, with the May brothers producing albums such as “Songs for Our Mothers” and “Serfs Up!”.
“Decius Vol. II”, an ode to their time spent DJing in New York’s old meatpacking district, exudes an infectious energy that harkens back to the golden days of disco. Their single, “Queen Of 14th St” captures this essence perfectly and is a tantalizing precursor to the rest of the album. The music video, adorned with aesthetics from dry ice to PVC catsuits, adds to the overall appeal.
Impressively, the anticipation for “Decius Vol. II (Splendour & Obedience)” was met with a wide array of release formats, ranging from digital to black vinyl 2LPs, the limited edition ‘Neptune Turquoise’ 2LP and ‘Assarius Copper’ 2LP. The demand for the album even before its official launch was insatiable, evident from the fast-selling tickets to their album release show at Fabric in February.
Despite commercial setbacks in their early career, Decius has impressively evolved into a band commanding the attention of industry notables. Their debut full-length album, “Decius Vol. I”, which garnered positive reviews for its unique combination of acid house and vocals, exemplifies this. The release was ranked notable positions in annual musical charts in 2022, further proof of their artistic growth.
Their music journey echoes their shared sentiment about continually searching for the “acid house buzz,” as Liam May puts it. Even when deviating far from the dance music spectrum, the thrill lies in creating a fusion of sound that provides an intoxicating feeling, capturing and maintaining the attention of listeners. With the sweeping success of “Decius Vol. II (Splendour & Obedience)”, it affirms that the artist’s choice to become Decius was certainly the right move.
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