The Race drops “D of E” music video

Formed in Reading back in 2004, The Race have always been driven the energy of the DIY indie scene and over the years, the band has earned an enviable reputation through two albums, hundreds of live shows and festival appearances across the UK and Europe, while sessions for Radio 1, 6Music and Xfm placed their music before ever wider audiences. Appearances at Reading Festival and Truck Festival confirmed their standing as a must watch live act but the story of The Race is as much about friendship and endurance as it is about milestones.

Sixteen years after stepping back, the band have returned with a new perspective, this time informed not by the road, but by the rhythms of everyday life. In the intervening years, the members collectively welcomed ten children; parenthood, with all its joys and demands, altered the pace of life but never diminished the creative bond that had first brought them together. That lifelong friendship became the catalyst for a new burst of songwriting and by gathering in the garage studio of bassist Grae, the band began recording and producing a bank of new material.

The first showcase of this rebirth arrived earlier this year with “Best Is Yet To Come,” the opening statement from the forthcoming FAMILY EP. The new music reveals a band transformed, now darker in tone, looser in execution and richer in texture, offering songs that trade youthful energy for hard-won context. Twin guitars roll out patiently, verses simmer with tension and choruses rise with a catharsis that feels genuinely earned. There is an emotional gravity to this chapter of The Race that speaks directly to the lives they now inhabit.

Now, their latest single titled “D of E” builds on that exploration with a song that’s melodic, tender and epic in equal measure while thematically reflecting on faithfulness amid the changing seasons of life. The title itself draws from a family moment, taking its working name from bassist Graeme’s eldest daughter as she undertook her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. From that simple origin grows a song of remarkable scope that contemplates parenting, aging, belief and the inevitable peaks and troughs that shape life.

Ultimately, “D of E” is a tribute to older generations and through bright imagery and multi-generational storytelling, the song acknowledges the emotions that accompany growing older while celebrating the determination that endures. Brought in by the dreamy swirl of airy guitar notes and softly pattering percussion, delicate vocal leads glide in to cast an intimate indie rock scene where picture painting lyricism and alluring melodies form a poignant listening experience. Surging in energy, the chorus rises with punchy drums, intricate instrumental layers and impassioned vocal leads, crafting a dazzling musical moment that’s memorable and truly meaningful.

Flowing through a a soothing breakdown where overlapping vocals, soft guitar notes and tapped percussion combine, the song rolls into an anthemic final chorus to leave a lasting impression of the song. At once energising and moving, “D of E” sees The Race continue their long awaited return in spectacular fashion while further building the excitement for their upcoming EP release. As they continue to go from strength to strength on this exciting new chapter, we can’t wait to see what this enduring band has in store for the rest of 2026 and beyond.

Watch the music video for D of E below

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