Dessa – Camelot
On October 10th, Doomtree Records will release Dessa’s new single on all streaming platforms. “Camelot” is the Side B of her new two-song 7” record, slated for physical release on November 4th, 2025.
The merch line at a Dessa show often contains people with lyrics tattooed on their forearms or ribs or shoulder blades. The strength and quotability of her lyrics—from rap punch lines to elegantly tooled extended metaphors—is a hallmark of Dessa’s work. “Camelot” is one of the few explicitly political songs in her catalog. In 2 minutes and 53 seconds she sketches the contours of a troubling American zeitgeist, delivers a chorus that’s both haunting and catchy, and comments on the tendency of consumer culture to breed apathy (That’s the thing about the lap of luxury – the lap of luxury can’t stand up). “Camelot” calls attention to the irreconcilability of two facets of the national self-concept: a) America is a miraculous shining city on a hill; and b) the neighbors are dangerous and crazy. The song doesn’t scold or preach, which was important to Dessa who says, “I hate being lectured. I assume most listeners do too. This song doesn’t aim to teach anybody anything—I think most of us know better already. It’s about trying to rally the nerve to act on our best impulses.” The song is slated to premiere on Seattle’s KEXP, one of the country’s most respected non-commercial music stations.
Dessa produced the beat for “Camelot” with additional production from Lazerbeak (Lizzo, Doja Cat) and Andy Thompson (Taylor Swift, Celine Dion). The accompanying live-action lyric was created by Adam Dunn (Emmy-Award winning motion designer, part of the Oscar-winning team on Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse). Jake Luck designed the artwork for the project; the cover photo was shot by photographer Athel Rogers in a studio just outside Washington, D.C.
Dessa will tour select cities in support of the project:
Thursday, December 11, 2025: Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
Friday, December 12, 2025: Wooly’s, Des Moines, IA
Saturday, December 13, 2025: Atwood Music Hall, Madison, WI
More tour dates TBA
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