Lazy Queen

Oslo-based alt-rock outfit Lazy Queen return in May with new single ‘Throwaway’ – A feral pop-punk anthem with an infectious hook and an abrasive punk demeanor. Lyrically, the track is unforgiving in its exploration of the vocalist Henrik Garcia Søberg’s deeply personal, harrowing experiences of self-destruction, fear, anger and self-loathing through the vehicle of raw, punk-spirited guitar music. 

The product of an international meeting of minds between New York and Oslo, Lazy Queen formed in 2015 and has been a tour-de-force in the Nordic scene ever since. Building a local audience through their assault-on-the-senses live shows, they’ve forged a path as the most prolific, pissed off bubble punk outfit in Norway. Their releases have led to critical acclaim from NYLON and Red Bull Music, as well as support across the airwaves in Norway and the U.S.

First conceived in 2012, the track’s first few verses were written through a difficult time in lead singer Henrik’s life. Experiencing constant battles with depression, culminating in a suicide attempt and years of destructive behavior while living in New York.

“It’s a fine line between romanticising and moralising, and we’re not interested in doing either. People are gonna do what people are gonna do. I most certainly have. I don’t think we are in any position to tell people what to do. What we do want to do is to tell an honest story in hopes of giving people who find themselves in similar situations something to relate to, something to let them know they’re not alone. Everyone’s got their shit, if it’s not drugs and depression it’s something else. Certain feelings and mental spaces are universal even though the circumstances might look vastly different. We want Lazy Queen to be a space and community for people to be themselves, find acceptance and support to move forward. We don’t have the answer, so let’s figure it out together.”

Working with producer Morten Øby (The Lion Heart Brothers and Pirate Love) the Nordic rock 5-piece embraced their love for a catchy pop hook, in the context of heavy, distorted guitar layers. ‘Throwaway’ is gloriously uncomplicated in its delivery. The guitar hook instantly catches the attention and lead singer Henrik maintains a powerful energy throughout the track. It’s a potent mix of catchy pop sensibilities and brash, punk spirit. On the meaning of the track, lead singer Henrik states:“‘Throwaway’ is about hitting rock bottom, waking up in a hospital bed, surrounded by love and care, only to bite every hand that’s ever tried to feed you. It’s about seeking allowance, reveling in penance and repeating familiar and comfortable patterns of self-destruction. It’s about knowing that it’ll inevitably bury the person I want to be underneath yet another protective layer of being a selfish asshole.”

“There’s something extremely appealing about angry bands. There’s something even more appealing about Lazy Queen who are able to perfectly find the balance between angry and vulnerable” – Red Bull Music 

“At once anthemic and accessible, jangly and ethereal, Lazy Queen crafts an expertly blended atmosphere that satiates our love of shoegaze and punk alike” – NYLON