Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds: Vinyl LP Johnny Lloyd

Turning the page on his days as frontman of chart-conquering Camden
four-piece Tribes, Johnny Lloyd has spent the years since their disbandment
starting afresh, rebuilding, taking career risks and forging a new path of his
own definition. On the long road to his debut solo album Johnny initially
began forging close bonds with like-minds including Jamie T, Mike Crossey
(The 1975, Hozier) and Hugo White (The Maccabees), all of whom would
help him to release two solo EPs in close succession: 2016’s ‘Dreamland’
and 2017’s ‘Eden’.

With the EPs warmly received and the reaction fervent at the 200+ live shows
across the globe in support of the releases, public appetite was clearly ripe for
Johnny’s debut album. However, with a surge in demand for Johnny to score a
variety of film and TV projects (from the Rolling Stones’ ‘The Quiet One’ Film to
2019 feature film ‘RareBeasts’ and more), it would not be for another two years
until the songs would come into fruition. And yet, accruing songs all the while
through this busy period, with a vision for his solo debut Johnny finally felt the time
and music was right for it to finally materialise.

Very much indicative of his newfound direction and a bold departure from his
indie-rock roots,’Next Episode…’ sees Johnny’s sound metamorphosing to find
kindred spirits with the likes of Nick Drake or Sparklehorse, channeling that
hushed, alternative-folk sound that is so eternally enchanting.

Checking into a 10ft square bunker in north London in late 2018 with producer
Nathan Coen, the pair began to flesh out the bones of the record, operating with a
hard-and-fast rule for each recorded track to be completed in “nomore than three
takes”. Though often a challenging process, the results as such were remarkable.
With its rawest, purest and most endearing qualities perfectly preserved, the
collection of tracks began to glisten like diamonds in the rough. Dusted with
finishing touches from Frank Turner, Hugo White and Adam Prendergast (from
Harry Styles’s band), these esteemed guest appearances finessed the album with
a touch of magic and drew the album into crystalline focus. Adding a last touch of
class, the album was mastered at the infamous Abbey Road Studios by Frank
Arkwright in late 2018.

Rich with personal renovations and revelations inspired by a whirlwind of changes
in Johnny’s life over the past few years, the intimate and mature songs of the album
tackle growth, getting sober and becoming a father, in a record that earnestly
witnesses this songwriter enter back into the spotlight and truly come of age.
For fans of: Tribes, Frank Turner, Maccabees, Cigarettes After Sex, Manchester
Orchestra