Last year’s album Disneyland in Dagenham was full of Essex, East End poetry, and classic English post punk. Following extensive touring including many sold-out shows, Scott is back with another album entitled, Cars, Buses,Bedsits and Shops out 22nd August on Nothing Fancy. An album bursting with more dark humour,snapshots of squalor and cheek, and Scott’s unique love songs. Lavene has also announced a 22 date tour around the UK as well as festival appearances at this year’s Glastonbury, End of the Road, Lakefest and Boia festivals. Produced by Stew Jackson, who’s worked with Massive Attack, Black Crowes, Tom Waits and Nick Cave,the record shines with Scott’s presence, alongside Ryan Rogers of Mumble Tide, co-producing and playing organs, synths and mellotron. The album came together quickly, in a five-day wonder, in Bristol, September 2024. Scott’s longer story-based songs have taken a backseat on this record with more singing than before and a higher percentage of ballads, sincere, wistful and tender. They evoke the lyrics and feelings set down by Daniel Johnston and The Magnetic Fields, Evan Dando and the immense David Berman. But a few ratty stories still remain.
Once upon a time, he’d have found a home on Stiff Records, alongside Ian Dury and Wreckless Eric, even Jona Lewie, and he’d have become a national treasure: he really is a very good writer, with an eye for the telling detailSpectator
“Bonkers sing-alongs about eating custard, weird reimaginings of geezer-down the pub anecdotes,nostalgic vignettes, and even the occasional love song in disguise. Sometimes spoken, sometimes sung, he retains hooks, even when surveying the most curious terrain.” Artsdesk
