I have plenty of well-earned platitudes to direct towards Lawndry – as they have an impressive body of work that spans a variety of genres, styles and production styles. It’s well worth a deep dive but right now, your attention should be squarely focused on their latest holiday EP offering, The Day Has Almost Come.
As it is early December at the time of this publication the Internet is being flooded with holiday music; much of it overly saccharine, cringey or just blasé. Fortunately for us, Lawndry steers hard in the opposite direction. “Krautsmas” is an adorable ode to Kraftwerk and synthesizer, “My Eyes Are Always on the Moon” is a sweet and yearning ode to the season (that may also be a flirtatious letter to Santa.. you be the judge). “Palm Tree & Mistletoe” has a surprising tropical vibe mixed with a bit of the sinister that is somewhat wild to hear on a holiday EP but in the most refreshing way. “The Day is Almost Done” closes out the release with a heartwrenching dose of melancholy. It’s appropriate for the season but it packs a real emotional punch.
Original holiday music in a town full of songwriters is a recipe for the worst kind of music – desperate attempts at emotional connection that ring hollow and, even worse, are cloying to listen to. The Day Has Almost Come is nothing bad and everything good, even when it hurts the heart. It’s hard to imagine wanting more from a holiday release. When you’re done with this, go seek out prior releases, all of the holiday variety.