Lazy Trail is a new project of songwriter Emma Willer coming out of New London, Connecticut. The project has been named after the street where she grew up, so it is already quite a personal project for her. She has been songwriting in a small band called Slumbers, which consisted of her and her high school best friends from Rochester, NY. However, in 2015, she joined the band Boyscott, which, for many of you, may not need an introduction.
There is a great band bio written by David Alaimo about this project:
“Throughout the years, she’s harnessed her craft—allowing the songs to form and grow, collect dust, and be made again. Lazy Trail takes you on lush adventures and offbeat musical excursions, guiding you through hazy daydreams of succinct simplicity. These trails venture into their own unique terrain and offer enigmatic views from the bluffs. Sparse thoughts, direct and harrowing, snap beneath your feet like the twigs on the forest floor. Her voice is a unique blend of melancholy and longing, instantly recognizable. Themes of depression, friendship, growing older, and dissipating relationships all peer out from the shrubbery skirting the trails. There’s the continual stirring of a fruit fly, the dripping of the moon, and the possibilities of eternal friendship. Throughout it all is a hopefulness and longing for simpler days.”
It is an excellent summary of themes that can be found in her music, so I couldn’t resist sharing this part in full. If you have been a fan of upbeat, catchy indie rock mixed with indie pop, you will fall in love with this one. The sound, accompanied by Emma’s incredible vocals, was refreshing, and even though it reminded me of other indie acts that have gained recognition in recent years, it was still quite unique.
The cover art was also an excellent reference for me, as I was hearing a lot of ocean or beach vibes in the song. I couldn’t fully explain why, but I felt like walking down the beach, with the fresh, cold Atlantic ocean breeze touching my face. The seagulls flying above, wailing and squawking, making you feel like life is good.
There is a great deal of craftsmanship showcased on this record, whether it is stellar drumming, incredible guitar riffs, or stunning vocals. There is a lot of maturity in it, and the experience Emma has been acquiring over the years is quite visible in the quality of this album.
This album is not receiving the recognition it deserves. We have been receiving a large number of submissions that sound quite mediocre and repetitive. Still, this one felt to me like a refreshing, juicy fruit cake that you have been longing for weeks.
The album is brimming with energy, and the songs work well together. It would be hard to pick a favorite, and I enjoyed that there was no weak point in the album that would detract from the overall consistency of the experience.
I wish the Bandcamp page would contain lyrics as well, because even though I can understand the majority of them, it is always easier to look at them and read along with the played song.
It is definitely another rare gem that we were lucky to find through our blog, and this is precisely the kind of album I always love to discover. Not heard by the masses, not sounding like everything else, showing a lot of craftsmanship, and being hooked by it right away.
Emma is a very talented musician, and this album is undeniable proof of that. I will give this album another listen, as it requires more time to appreciate it fully. I will work my day job, blast this in my head, and just enjoy the day, because there is always a great way to start a track. Especially if it is coming for such a mesmerizing album as this one. Great job, Emma!
Written by Filip Zemcik
