The Lazy Eyes release their highly-anticipated debut album ‘SongBook’
The Aussie natives prove they’re the next big thing in the world of psych-rock with an effortless first offering
★★★★☆
Photo: Press
Spotify isn’t all bad. Sometimes Spotify recommends you a track (Where’s My Brain??? to be exact) and you’re instantly hooked. I was convinced I’d heard them before but alas they were new kids on the block at the time. And now we’re here and I feel like a proud parent. Thank you, Spotify.
When I tell you these four have heaps and heaps of potential, I mean it. They bring all the old vibes of The Beatles’ psychedelic period and wickedly blend it with the modern fuzz of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard. No one is doing it quite like these guys, and that I can promise.
Some albums you know you’re going to like before you press play and this is no different. Granted, I’d heard previous singles Hippo, Fuzz Jam and my personal favourite Nobody Taught Me, but the rest adds up to make this one hell of a debut. The stand out track for me is by far Tangerine; the King Gizzard-esque vocals are hard to ignore and are helped by the fun flow of the guitar that kicks in after the halfway mark.
Imaginary Girl is the penultimate track; taking us through a tale of woe, all while keeping that signature upbeat sound they’ve come to forge as their own. It’s followed with the album ender, Cheesy Love Song, which really just says it all — although it doesn’t sound like a typical cheesy Take That song. I’ll let it slide for the smooth psych we’re gifted instead. Much better than Gary Barlow and Co., IMO.
Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences and nostalgia, The Lazy Eyes have created an album one can only dream about: it’s personal, yet that doesn’t stop it from being experimental; the work of a young band coining their sound and putting their own stamp on the psych-rock noise we all know and love.
Listening to the album from beginning to end almost feels like a psychedelic experience; if you close your eyes, maybe you might float.
If this is just the tip of the iceberg, then I can’t wait to see what they produce next.
