SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: DUNCAN LLOYD – “LAUGH SO LOUD”

DUNCAN LLOYD – “LAUGH SO LOUD”

A SPILL EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE

A name that is not unfamiliar to us, Maximo Park, can now (in the eyes of many readers) add a new facet to their make-up as a band. Known as the guitarist and back vocalist for the uber-popular band, Duncan Lloyd also happens to be a singer-songwriter on his own accord and today, we bring the receipts. That is, we are pleased to introduce the high-energy and positively fun video for his new single “Laugh So Loud”,

Featuring a welcome appearance by Joe Boyer (Cloud Nothings, Autopolitan), who brings the noise as well as guitar to this track, Lloyd delves into the uncomfortable rabbit-hole that is our human tendency towards self-doubt and passing things off as being fine. A head-turning trip, Lloyd spins a sonic vortex that demands you move while absorbing every bit of this infectious music.

This single previews Lloyd’s Unwound album, which is the first studio album of new material he is releasing via Scotland’s Reveal Records. His previous albums came out on Warp Records or else self-released.

Capturing the zeitgeist of our modern-day ‘head in the sand’ tendencies, “Laugh So Loud” blends the innocent youthfulness of XTC with Pixies-esque drive, throwing a glittery mid-’90s UK pop sheen onto a relentless motorik beat. Instantly addictive and utterly unique sound, this is one for your playlist-on-repeat – it grabs you from the first note and doesn’t let go.

With cover artwork derived from Lloyd’s own paintings, this record weaves a unique musical maze of free and varied personal expression, deep and transient, spare, intense and urgent with a balance of grit, beauty and melody.

Partly recorded by Julie McLarnon (The Vaselines, Lankum, King Creosote, Jeffrey Lewis, Brigid Mae Power) at Analogue Catalogue Studios in Ireland and by Lloyd himself at his studio in Newcastle Upon Tyne, this album also features contributions by Maximo Park keyboardist Jemma Freese and drummer Tom English.

Apart from making a name for himself with Maximo Park, Duncan Lloyd also happens to be a member and co-writer (with Sarah Suri) in the indie band Nano Kino. Having recently won praise by Clash Magazine and God is in the TV Zine, Lloyd’s music career runs back several decades. A Mercury Music Prize nominee, he has also won an NME award, had A-listed singles at BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music (including lyric of the year), and has had worldwide platinum and gold selling records. His songs have featured on eight Maximo Park hit albums, consistently charting in the Top 10 U.K.

“I wanted to hear something urgent yet melodic. Lyrically, it is about doubt. There is a lot of pretending things are fine and hiding from the reality of the world outside or not discussing the real problems publically for fear of reprisal, so itʼs a reaction to the sedentary state of mind,” says Duncan Lloyd.

“In public, all your secrets go to sleep etc. I lent my guitar to a friend and found it plugged into an old VOX amp one morning at the rehearsal room, the amp sounded so good that the song materialised as I played through it. It has a certain spirit akin to the early 90’s, heavy then it drops with a vocal on the bridge reminiscent of Midwest bands from a similar period. Featuring Joe Boyer (ex- Cloud Nothings / Autopolitan) on the other guitar.”

Writing, recording (and painting) under his own name over the last decade, the Derby-born songwriter received an enthusiastic message from UK indie label/manager Tom Rose of Reveal Records in 2019, suggesting a future collaboration on his solo works (Rose had been listening to Lloyd’s 2019 album Outside Notion whilst on tour with now label-mate Joan As Police Woman). Requesting Duncan sent everything he’d recorded to date in whatever form, reissues of Lloyd’s early solo albums followed. The colossal 31-track selected works collection Green Grows Devotion came out in 2022, followed by Fun City, a trilogy of three EPs recorded in succession throughout 2024.

While Unwound is very much an album with Duncan Lloyd stepping front and centre, his career is dotted with collaboration with various musicians and producers, including Paul Epworth (Bloc Party, Glass Animals, Rihanna), Gil Norton (The Pixies, Echo & The Bunnymen), Nick Launay (Nick Cave, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Ben Allen (Gnarls Barclay, Deerhunter), Rudimental, Dave Okumu, Batida and as part of Africa Express with legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen.

As of May 6, “Laugh So Loud” is available from fine digital music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The full Unwound album will be released everywhere on July 11th.

CREDITS

Music & lyrics written by Duncan Lloyd (Reveal Publishing)
Duncan Lloyd – vocals, guitars, bass, piano, synth & drum machine
Tom English – drums, percussion (all tracks except 8, 11 & 12)
Andrew Mills – bass & synth (tracks 4 & 5)
Jemma Freese – backing vocals (track 2)
Joe Boyer – guitar & noise (tracks 2 & 7)
Recorded & Mixed by Duncan Lloyd (except 4 & 5) at The Dagda Rooms
Tracks 4 & 5 recorded & mixed by Julie McLarnon at Analogue Catalogue
Guitars on tracks 2 & 7 recorded by Joe Boyer in Cleveland, Ohio
Produced by Duncan Lloyd
Mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering, Chicago
Released by Reveal Records
Barcode 0726529875607
Catalogue no. REVEAL204
Cover art and layout by Duncan Lloyd
Video directed & edited by JTW
Super-8 footage by Freya Frenesi
Photography by Yuka JTW

Duncan Lloyd
[Single]
(Reveal Records)
Release Date: May 6, 2025

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Background Photo Credit: Billy McHugh