Album Review: Lacey – This is All We Are (Self Released)

The Nottingham quartet Lacey will release their new album, and first in five years, on July 17th, 2023. Called ‘This Is All We Are’, it is the long-awaited follow-up to 2018’s I Don’t Owe the World A Thing.

An emotional and cathartic release, Lacey have been missed but fans can finally rest easy as they’re back. Back to make you feel, back to make you move, and back to remind everyone why they are such an important band.

If you’re not a fan of a lot of effects in music, and we’re not, 3AM Sonata is a bit of a polarising start. Mainly because of what is done to the vocals. It’s a pity as the lyrics are good and the melody is sweet.

Thankfully things do improve with the anthemic and heartfelt Run Away, the experimental sound of Maybe I’m Alive, and the passionate singalong that is Easy Way Out. It’s with these tracks that Lacey really comes alive and show just why they are such an important band.

A high point of the record is the infectious Dream in A Little Less Colour, the oomph of the instruments and powerful vocal performance makes it extremely memorable. By contrast the super-melodic oddity that is I’m Losing Myself pales, but only because it doesn’t have the same amount of impact.

The middle part of the album continues the unexpected ups and downs of the record. First, there is the highly sensitive Middle England, a track with some expressive vocals and touching melody. Then there is Always, a dreamy EDM style number, before You Were Right takes the listener on a journey of heart and soul. The Lacey way.

It’s so important to remember that this is Lacey and it is what they do. So don’t expect any major changes to the formula as the album reaches the latter stage. It’s a winning formula for the group and even when they show a bit more of an animated rhythm, as they do in places on I Always Tell The Truth (Even When I Lie), it’s dripping in soppiness. Authentic soppiness though.

It’s what keeps things interesting right up to the end with You Can’t Compete with History, Answers, Flaws, and the title track. Lacey making sure their long-term listeners will be going away completely satisfied and maybe even having won over some new ones too.

Lacey – This is All We Are Track Listing:

1. 3AM Sonata
2. Run Away
3. Maybe I’m Alive
4. Easy Way Out
5. Dream in A Little Less Colour
6. I’m Losing Myself
7. Middle England
8. Always
9. You Were Right
10. I Always Tell the Truth (Even When I Lie)
11. You Can’t Compete with History
12. Answers
13. Flaws
14. This Is All We Are

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