Field Music Share “Beyond That Of Courtesy” From Forthcoming Historical Concept Album

Field Music have shared the latest historical vignette as part of their forthcoming concept album Making A New World. The single, “Beyond That of Courtesy,” looks at the French women’s suffrage movement after World War I and travels forward through time to comment on its continued influence on women in power.

As a stylistic break from its two preceding singles, “Beyond That of Courtesy” takes Field Music out of their familiar realm of danceable new-wave and into one of jagged contemplation. Opening with a peculiar drum rhythm making use of an array of claps and dings, the song launches into a churning progression of complementary noises. Sustained guitar strums create an ambient tension, while a pronounced bassline keeps the song pressing onward.

At the same time, frontman David Brewis’ voice stands with poise in the center of the clockwork-like music detailing the perspective of a French suffragette. Although the song’s underlying historical theme isn’t explicit within, the repeated chorus of “The recommendations have no force beyond that of courtesy” shows an intention for suffragettes to be seen as serious civil activists in this time of great change and upheaval.

A statement from the band explains the historical events driving the song’s narrative, citing the trailblazing efforts of post-WWI French suffragettes as inspiration:

“Beyond That of Courtesy” references the Inter-Allied Women’s Conference organized by the French Women’s Suffrage Societies post the First World War. The conference was designed to promote women’s political participation at both national and international levels.

Since the conference, the world can boast of electing names like Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Margaret Thatcher as the first woman leaders of the free world. “Progress but at a cost.”