The Lazytrains: A blues (and not only!) record…

We got our dose of blues, a dose that in no way was enough for that night! Especially when the night winds down and you find yourself wondering how much longer until the moment comes to hold the record in your hands… In the end, my prayers were answered, since Lazytrains went ahead with a physical release of their self-titled album.

With simplicity as its core element

The record that landed in our hands had many, yet simple, elements. That, after all, is its main characteristic: its simplicity! (and of course, that's exactly what piques my interest.) But it's in that very simplicity that all its beauty lies. From the cover (in light blue with black and white details) all the way to the music. And speaking of the cover, it feels very familiar.

The tracklist looks like notes someone would jot down casually! The artwork (a mix of a musical tunnel that suggests someone listening to music on headphones) looks like a doodle drawing. Overall, I feel like the record is a part of me. I want to listen to it!

A musically 'clean' result

With the opening track being 'I don't need no money', Lazytrains give us a taste of what's to come. Rooted in blues, they offer an authentic and clear picture of their style. And yes! I mean it! The guys do an excellent job, taking elements we've heard for decades and offering them to us through a very different lens.

Their style doesn't stick only to the 'classics'! In the music there are elements of garage, rock 'n' roll, swing, jazz, funk and soul. Also, two styles that stand out in a few spots are Country and Surf Rock! A huge variety, then, that definitely shifts the perception of anyone who thought they'd be hearing just another blues record. Of course, there's no shortage of dynamic blues ballads either, aiming to make you pour whatever poison you fancy into your glass and lose yourself in the smoke and your thoughts.

Through the musician's eyes

Rhythmically, there are shifts in the music (as much as the style allows, of course). The guitars are generally clean (barely overdriven in certain spots) and full of atmospheric effects like reverb and delay. This gives a strong sense of depth to the sound. We feel there are melodies on more than one level. Precisely because the music is so 'clean', we can hear the tiniest note.

One of the standout elements on the record is the use of extra instruments that add a particular aesthetic to the music. Harmonicas, saxophone, and even mandolin (or at least the impression the sound creates), come into the mix and make the result much spicier (check out 'I Feel Blues' and 'Give Me Wings’).

One of the Lazytrains' most essential 'weapons' is the voice. The band's frontwoman has a deep melodic tone, quite dynamic and full of twists. She's a performer with personality and character, which she puts into the songs and takes them to another level.

Editor's Choice: 'Give Me Wings'

For me, this particular track stands out quite a bit from the record. To begin with, it's a song very different from the rest. It has a joyful melodic line, strongly reminiscent of the American South, soul style and gospel influences. In fact, I could picture a choir singing the chorus (now there's a good idea for a video clip or a live performance)! Also, here we get the inclusion of the mandolin, which offers an airy aesthetic. It's truly an excellent track. Enjoy it!

A record that leaves promises for the future

The Lazytrains offer us a record with truly beautiful music. Songs capable of calming you down and whisking you away to a world far from reality. The music the band produces is a sample of the members' capabilities and definitely leaves us looking forward to the future. For now, I wholeheartedly recommend you listen to this work!