Following the eclecticism of Flowers at the Scene and the “big beat” energy of No-Man’s Love You to Bits, I felt a strong need to create an album that operated within a very specific, focused sonic and emotional territory. Late Night Laments (2020) was the result, a collection of intimate, atmospheric songs that I think of as my most “late-night” and meditative work. The project was born from a sudden burst of creativity in the autumn of 2019; after writing a particular track that resonated deeply with me, I sent it to my long-time co-producer and “sounding board,” Brian Hulse, with the note that I had hit upon a clear direction for a new record.

While Brian Hulse and I handled the bulk of the instrumentation, the album was mixed by Steven Wilson, who once again helped clarify the spatial and emotional depth of the recordings. We also featured a few select guest contributions, including Evan Carson on drums and Colin Edwin on double bass, to ground the more ethereal electronic elements.

Lyrically, Late Night Laments is perhaps my most grounded and socially conscious record. While previous albums often dealt with nostalgia or fictional characters, these “laments” focus on the fractures in contemporary life—addressing themes of isolation, the impact of social media, and the rise of ideological divisions. Songs like “The Hitman Who Missed” and “I’m Better Now” explore the darker corners of the human psyche, yet the music remains consistently melodic and warm.