Album Review: Lacey - This Is All We Are

Let’s rewind, not too far, but just a little to the end of 2022. In November, I went to see one of the Young Guns reunion shows in Manchester. It was an absolutely belting night, filled with passion and fun. The main support act for the night was the Nottingham-based rock band, Lacey. What a flashback that was! Holy cow, I hadn’t had a chance to listen to them in so long, I think the last time was in 2013. It was a memory unlocked. That night, Lacey played a few newer songs and I really loved the sound. After their set, I went to their merch table and got a CD mix of the newer tracks. So, you better believe that the new album was on my *look out for this one* list in 2023. Well, look what rolled into my inbox, the new album, This Is All We Are. I’ve been listening to it for a bit now and I have to say some of these songs have been stuck in my head since I forest listened to them.

From a production standpoint, I’m in two minds about it. It’s very electronic, there are a lot of vocal effects and synths layered throughout the music. Whilst I think this takes a moment to adjust your ears to, for me, it worked. The production in itself elevates the music beyond just rock, there’s almost a power-pop or synth-rock twinkle to the sound. There are not many bands that sound like this and for those that do, I’d argue, don’t sound like Lacey. I really like the pallet cleanser opener “3 AM Sonata”. It feels very much like an overture, getting you ready for the album to come. I must confess I’m always concerned about openers like this in the streaming generation of music. It worked for me and for people who like albums with structure, this is pretty decent.

When you get into the album proper it’s just banger after banger. I don’t think there’s a weak song on this record. The singles like “Run Away”, “Dream In A Little Less Colour” and “Middle England” give the album that power and that karaoke quality. Seriously, once you listen to “Run Away” especially, you will be singing it for the rest of the day. Then you have some of my personal favourites on the album. “Easy Way Out” is a boppy little tune that has some pretty pensive lyrics. It hit an emotional sweet spot for me. I also really loved the album's closer and title track “This Is All We Are”. A sweeping melancholy ballad that rides that synth line until the halfway point that crescendos into a wailing cry. It’s a captivating way to close out the album. I felt the writing on this album punched me right in the gut. The way Lacey manages to navigate sheer bliss and happiness all the way through to the crushing weight of emotions building up on you. I think they handle it well.

This was a ride, I won’t lie to you. I found this one a joy to listen to. This record will be in my playlists, for my various mood swings. As I said this album has so many karaoke moments and lyrical blows, it’s enough to keep the listener coming back. For me, I’ve not been able to put this one away. Hell, since I got that CD from the Young Guns gig I think “Dream In A Little Less Colour” has been in my head for the better part of the year. I kinda get that a lot of people can look down on pop-rock to a degree. However, when you find a band that stands out from the crowd, I think you should absolutely highlight them.

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