Lankum – Ghost Town

Dublin’s Lankum release their cover of The Specials’ 1981 classic “Ghost Town”, transforming the ska anthem into an eight-minute experimental folk-drone epic. Originally created for choreographer Oona Doherty’s dance show “Specky Clark” at Sadler’s Wells, the track strips away ska entirely and rebuilds it with synthesizers, drum machines, drone sounds, strings, rich vocal harmonies, and piano.

“Ghost Town came to us through some curious circumstances,” the band explains. “Oona Doherty contacted us about a new show about her great-great-grandfather being sent to Belfast as a child to work in an abattoir. She wanted a new piece of music for a party scene set on Halloween night, and told us she wanted it to start out indistinguishable and woozy, before developing into the very recognizable track by The Specials.”

At first hesitant to cover a ska tune, Lankum recorded the track at Hellfire Studios, experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines to create what they call “the scaldiest 90s sounding techno for the outro section”. The result honors the original while pushing into new territory, Neville Staple’s booming vocals become fleeting whispers, and the “do you remember the good old days” section transforms into synth-led optimism within darkness.

Director Leonn Ward shot the accompanying eight-minute video in County Wicklow with cinematographer Robbie Ryan (Poor Things, American Honey). Ward centers the band in a car, nodding to the Specials’ iconic original video, while interweaving a solitary journey that speaks to resilience and endurance.

“It feels eerily relevant to be referencing yet again themes of urban decay, economic hardship and working class frustration,” Lankum says. The single arrives via Rough Trade Records, who also announced the band has extended their contract for multiple future albums. A 12″ vinyl with an elaborate B-side etching drops January 30th, 2026.