Formed in 2018, Watford’s ‘glock-rock’ stalwarts Lakes have turned plenty of heads since emerging from the depths of Watford’s DIY. Inspired by Midwestern emos American Football, drummer Matt Shaw decided to try his hand at writing songs again, and joined by Roberto Cappellina (vocals/guitar), the basis for 2 EPs (2018s ‘The Tahoe EP’ and 2019s ‘The Geneva EP’) and a full-length (‘The Constance LP’) took shape. Now, taking on the scene as a six-piece ensemble, Lakes quickly gained traction in 2020 with the release of their glittering second album ‘Start Again’, which saw them explore their fusion of math-pop time signatures and dual-vocals to craft a full-length steeped in their collective vulnerabilities and anxieties. Lauded by Line Of Best Fit as “a shining hopefulness at its core” and Washed Up Emo championing them as “Your new favourite band”, Lakes spent the next two years breaking ground on on the UK live circuit, headlining their biggest show to date at The Lexington in London and conquering stages at ArcTanGent and Strange Forms Festivals. The band are settling into 2023 with their sights set on a metamorphosis, driven by a desire to forge themselves into something bigger and brighter than ever before. Step forth new album ‘Elysian Skies’. Recorded with Tom Peters (Alpha Male Tea Party, The Fall, Vennart) at Trapdoor Studios in Liverpool, Lakes took to the studio to make their sound enormous, leaning into their penchant for positivity, charm and twinkling catharsis all while wrapping their themes in echoing guitar effects and soaring vocal harmonies.