Tilly Scantlebury, the driving force behind Lazy Day, has officially arrived with Open The Door, a debut album a decade in the making. The London-based songwriter’s trip to this point has been one of steady evolution, from the lo-fi dreamscapes of 2017’s Ribbons EP to the layered introspection of 2019’s Letters. Now, with their first full-length release, Scantlebury unveils a collection that’s both deeply personal but rings with universal truths.

Thematically, the album finds Scantlebury standing at a crossroads of identity and self-acceptance. Newly married, out as non-binary, and armed with a PhD, they dig into the intersections of queerness, domesticity, masculinity, and Jewish heritage. The results are refreshingly varied and intimate. The tender, introspective “Squirm” celebrates the small, grounding joys of everyday life. Meanwhile, “Killer” and “All The Things That I Love” confront identity and belonging with serious yet raw tenderness. Lazy Day’s hallmark introspection is amplified by an anthemic energy throughout Open The Door. Songs like “Strangest Relief” encourage fighting to make a real connection, with Scantlebury urging, “Take the good when it’s found / I just want you around / Getting stronger.” It’s an emotional high point on an album brimming with hard-won wisdom.

Musically, Lazy Day draws from a wide array of influences. Whether it’s shimmering dream pop, grunged up guitars, or reverb-drenched indie rock, Scantlebury’s voice anchors every track, whether they’re delivering intimate confessions or soaring through cathartic choruses. What sets Open The Door apart is its sense of self-assuredness. Despite the deeply personal nature of the record, Scantlebury never shies away from letting listeners into their world. It’s a celebration of growth, self-discovery, and the messy, beautiful process of finding one’s place in the world.

Described as “a lo-fi dream pop force to be reckoned with” by Under The Radar and praised for their “wonky pop sensibility” reminiscent of Kate Bush (Noisey), Scantlebury takes the lush, introspective core of Lazy Day and cranks up the volume and saturation. Open The Door is a record that wears its heart on its sleeve, embracing its humanly fears and flaws while delivering some of the biggest hooks and catchiest melodies so far.