‘Concrete’ by Lazy Day | New Album, ‘Open the Door’
Lazy Day, the musical project led by London-based songwriter Tilly Scantlebury (they/them), makes a return with a new track from their upcoming debut album, ‘Open the Door,’ set for release on November 8th via Brace Yourself Records (home to artists like Panic Shack, JOHN, and Nuha Ruby Ra).
The announcement also includes details of special in-store performances during the album’s release week and the introduction of an eco-friendly Greensleeve edition of the album.
The track, ‘Concrete,’ marks the fourth single from ‘Open the Door’ and stands as an unintentional epic. It builds up with layers of vocal fragments, winding and jittery guitars, and a relentless beat that propels the song forward. These elements combine to mirror the emotional conflict at the song’s heart. At the center of it all is Scantlebury’s poignant vocal performance, offering a calm amid the chaos. Though its cool, detached delivery may evoke comparisons to Florence Shaw of Dry Cleaning, a closer listen reveals a more vulnerable, open-hearted approach reminiscent of Sue Tompkins from Life Without Buildings.
“Concrete was a helpful metaphor,” explains Scantlebury. “It’s strong and sturdy, as well as being extremely heavy. It was a useful framework for thinking about relationships which felt stable, but at the same time weighed me down. Writing the lyrics like vignettes of memories helped me gain a sense of perspective, as I tried not to carry the full load of responsibility.”
“This song is a big shift from what I’d made before,” they continue. “Written later in the album making process, I was gaining new confidence, realising that the record could be whatever I wanted it to be. At the same time, expectations I had held of myself for so long were starting to fall away. It was an amazing feeling, especially when the content of the song is about the breakdown of trust, my fears about someone coming true, and facing the collapse of it all head on. Writing Concrete felt like making a massive mess before doing the most concise tidy up ever. A bit of destruction in the interest of creation.”
Today brings the unveiling of a special Greensleeve edition of ‘Open the Door,’ a new initiative from Brace Yourself Records that responds to the growing concern over the environmental impact of vinyl production. With vinyl sales consistently on the rise, it’s often noted that nearly 48% of records purchased are never actually played. This trend highlights a significant issue: many fans seem to value the packaging over the media itself, yet there’s no option to purchase just the packaging. This situation is seen by some as a market failure, and by others as a potential ecological disaster, given the carbon-intensive nature of vinyl manufacturing.
The Greensleeve edition is designed for music lovers who appreciate owning a physical keepsake to support the artist and enrich their listening experience, without contributing to the environmental strain of vinyl production or breaking the bank. Priced at just £10.99, this edition is both the most eco-conscious and the most affordable physical format of ‘Open the Door.’
For ‘Open the Door,’ the Greensleeve edition includes all the visual and tactile elements fans might want: a beautifully designed sleeve, double-sided lyric sheet, art print, and a download code for the full album. Instead of the vinyl, however, buyers will receive a limited edition, ethically produced ‘Lazy Day’ tea towel. This unique item showcases a collection of door illustrations contributed by fans, friends, and family, following a call from Scantlebury to share drawings of doors from their lives. This concept mirrors the album’s theme of potential, opportunity, and exploration, inviting listeners to consider what lies behind their own doors.
Limited to just 50 copies, the Greensleeve edition is now available for pre-order here.
Headline photo: Eleanor Crewes
Lazy Day Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp / YouTube
Brace Yourself Records Official Website / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp
