Lazy Day’s debut album, Open the Door, warmly invites listeners into Tilly Scantlebury’s world, offering a genuine exploration of themes like queerness, identity, and the complexities of relationships. Scantlebury’s lyrics bring fearless honesty, building on the foundation of Lazy Day’s earlier EPs, Ribbons and Letters. This new work thoughtfully balances raw, intimate material with a polished production style, giving listeners a captivating blend of indie depth and radio-ready appeal.
Written and demoed during lockdown, the album reflects introspective times yet emerges with a larger, bolder sound thanks to The Institute of Sonic Architecture in West Wales. With Gethin Pearson behind the boards (Charli XCX and Kele Okereke), Open the Door leans into a crisp, more polished aesthetic. Where Lazy Day’s earlier work had a raw, lo-fi charm, this new approach brings shimmering guitars and refined percussion, giving the album a vibrant, elevated sound that still preserves the heart of Scantlebury’s stories.
The album begins cautiously with ‘Killer’, a catchy indie-pop track that subtly hints at something deeper below the surface. It’s well-crafted and provides a hint of experimental sounds that makes it intriguing, while not giving too much away. The journey continues with ‘Getting Good‘, a track that resonates with a bass-driven, early-2000s College indie vibe. Scantlebury’s vocals shine here, capturing the emotional tension between upbeat instrumentation and reflective lyrics. The album’s momentum builds through tracks like ‘Squirm’ and ‘Strangest Relief‘, exploring personal themes with lyrics that touch on self-reflection and conflict, all while maintaining the album’s signature energy.
‘Bright Yellow’ steps into a more mainstream feel with a memorable hook that’s like a Coldplay/Rihanna mashup which lodges itself so effortlessly in your mind, you wonder how it’s never been done before. Its catchy chorus and layered production reflect Lazy Day’s new ambition, and the track manages to balance accessibility with the thoughtful lyricism that fans have come to love.
One of the album’s standout moments arrives with ‘Concrete‘, a track that unfolds with a storm-like intensity. Scantlebury’s voice anchors the song, lending weight to its portrayal of a strained relationship. The track slowly builds in emotional power and achieves a delicate harmony between polished production and raw emotion, making it a memorable high point. Following close behind, ‘Falling Behind‘ encapsulates the best qualities of Open the Door. With hypnotic guitars that weave in and out of Scantlebury’s reverb-drenched vocals, it creates an alluring soundscape that resonates long after the song ends. The push and pull between vulnerability and defiance makes for a mesmerising listen, and it’s here that Lazy Day’s full potential is realised. Comparisons to Our Girl or Hayley Williams are inevitable, but Lazy Day firmly carves out their own niche.
Toward the album’s conclusion, ‘Alright‘ brings a gentle sense of resolution, capturing the emotions of clinging to something precious yet fragile. Tracks like ‘Joke‘ and ‘Not Now‘ return to a polished indie-pop sound, while the stripped-back moments emphasize the emotional depth Scantlebury brings to their work. The closing track, ‘All the Things That I Love‘, is a beautifully unguarded finale, where Scantlebury’s voice takes centre stage, delivering a quiet, raw reflection that feels both intimate and relatable. It’s the quiet confession after the storm, a moment where everything is laid bare.
While Open the Door walks a fine line between emotional rawness and commercial polish, it’s this very tension that gives the album its unique energy. When it leans into vulnerability—on tracks like Concrete and Falling Behind—Lazy Day proves that they’re more than capable of delivering moments of genuine emotional resonance. The contrast between the album’s production and its lyrical depth may seem disjointed at times, but perhaps that’s part of its charm. After all, life is full of contradictions, and Open the Door doesn’t shy away from them. Instead, it invites the listener to sit with the complexities, contradictions and all.
A side note, but an important one: Lazy Day’s eco-friendly Greensleeve edition replaces traditional vinyl with a fan-designed tea towel. It’s a move that aligns completely with the band’s commitment to sustainability, and the personal values that echo throughout the album.
Overall, Open the Door is a bold, promising debut, blending ambitious soundscapes with emotional depth and sincerity. It’s an album that rewards repeated listening, inviting listeners to linger in a space where raw edges meet polished surfaces, and where the heart of Lazy Day’s music shines.
‘Open the Door’ is out on 8th November via Brace Yourself Records
