Lazy Day’s debut album, Open the Door, is hazy, catchy, and enchanting with rich vocals reminiscent of St Vincent. The Lazy Day project has been led by the London-based Tilly Scantlebury (they/them) since its inception 10 years ago. Dropping 8 November, Open the Door is sure to be a hit with fans of Karen O, Angel Olsen, Jay Som, and Camera Obscura.
The 11-track album’s dreamy indie-rock is upfront and searingly honest. Lyrics such as “when you laugh at me even as a joke/ it breaks my heart” have a gorgeous vulnerability that will appeal to poets, artists and aggressively sensitive dreamers alike. Meanwhile, the playful ‘Bright Yellow’ has a summery warmth that evokes lomography and polaroids and speaks to the significance of representation with lines like “When I saw that photograph I knew right then it could’ve been me”.
Lazy Day have previously had radio-plays from the likes of Lauren Laverne, Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq while their EPs and singles have received much deserved acclaim from VICE, DIY and CLASH among others. Now signed by Brace Yourself Records, Lazy Day’s gift of an album feels like both the accumulation of all their previous work and the realisation of something wonderful and new; everything has culminated in this moment that will no doubt propel them further forward.
Scantlebury is the main instrumentalist on Open the Door with the exception of the drums which are played by Dave Newington of Boy Azooga. Bassist Kris Lavin and former drummer Beni Evans also make appearances. Scantlebury’s wife, the wonderfully talented writer and illustrator Eleanor Crewes, sings vocals on ‘Bright Yellow’. Crewes also appears as a green monster alongside Scantlebury in the brilliant ‘Falling Behind’ music video, directed and produced by CLUMP Collective.
Open the Door was written and demoed in Scantlebury’s home studio before being recorded at The Institute of Sonic Architecture in West Wales and co-produced with Gethin Pearson (Kele Okereke, Charli xcx, Whenyoung). The live incantation of Lazy Day will see Scantlebury joined on stage by Martin Lilley (guitar, backing vocals) Kris Lavin (bass, backing vocals), and Mikey King (drums).
Newly married art historian Scantlebury is keen for their music to change people as music has changed them. Scantlebury writes:
“Other artists have helped me feel brave, and that I have a place in the world. I want to give the listener that same feeling of recognition. I’m really invested in that kind of connection and of art changing the way you see and think and live”.
Open the Door is a beautiful ode to queerness and authenticity that belongs on your shelf and in your speakers.
Feb 6th | Manchester, UK – YES (Basement)
Feb 7th | Glasgow, UK – Broadcast
Feb 8th | Edinburgh, UK – Sneaky Pete’s
Feb 9th | Newcastle, UK – Three Tanners Bank
Feb 11th | Nottingham, UK – Rough Trade
Feb 12th | Birmingham, UK – The Victoria
Feb 13th | Bristol, UK – Louisiana
Feb 14th | London, UK – The Lower Third
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