Lucy Lane’s ‘I Don’t Want To Be Angry’: A Captivating Dark Pop Gem
Lucy Lane’s latest single, ‘I Don’t Want To Be Angry,’ is a captivating exploration of anger that showcases her fearless approach to music. This dark pop gem combines haunting vocals, atmospheric production, and thought-provoking lyrics. The song delves into the complexities of anger, drawing from personal experiences and societal issues. With a spell-like quality, Lucy Lane’s emotive delivery and the collaboration with Mint Sauce and Eric Matern create an intense sonic experience. Accompanied by a visually stunning music video directed by Kassandra Powell, the dark and atmospheric mood of the track is brought to life. ‘I Don’t Want To Be Angry’ solidifies Lucy Lane’s position as a rising force in the music industry. Her distinct sound and willingness to tackle difficult themes make her a captivating artist to watch. With this release, Lucy Lane fearlessly embraces her emotions and demands justice, creating an empowering and thought-provoking dark pop anthem.
Indie Midlands: What inspired you to explore the theme of anger in your latest single, ‘I Don’t Want To Be Angry’?
Lucy Lane: Both personal experiences of explosive anger that I witnessed as a child, and structural violence that we are still battling in society every day. I had a challenging conversation with my sister about gender-based violence. Some of those statistics make my blood boil on a regular basis; I truly believe we are desensitised on a mass scale. How about we ring Big Ben’s bells every three days to mark how often a woman is killed by a man in this country. Will that wake us up?
Indie Midlands: How did the collaboration with producer Mint Sauce and guitarist Eric Matern contribute to the dark and atmospheric sound of the track?
Lucy Lane: I think a great producer will really listen to the story of the song, as well as any specific production references. I told Dom (Mint Sauce) I wanted the song to sound like a choir of angry women; to sound apocalyptic – no subtlety, all sirens. He read that as heavy distortion and some really great notes on adlibs. He also added piano as I was sitting in the same room learning the chords for the first time. As soon as I heard them on the bridge, I was so happy. Some of the production elements I brought in, too. The bells on the chorus remind me of an 80s horror score.
Eric picked up on some of my original guitar references – which were bluesy and sleepy – and then created something entirely his own. The opening riff is one of my favourite parts of the song. It’s also a simple song, in terms of arrangement and melody. He took it to another level. The pre-chorus guitars and the solos at the end just add so much drama and depth.
Indie Midlands: Can you share some insights into the creative process behind the music video for ‘I Don’t Want To Be Angry’ and its connection to the song’s narrative?
Lucy Lane: It was an incredible, collaborative experience between myself and the director Kassandra Powell, as well as the team of creatives across hair, makeup, styling, cinematography… lasers! I went to Kass with the idea of cutting my hair while wearing my mother’s wedding dress. She turned it into this dramatic, dark fairytale. We also talked about it being a moving painting. It was scarily perfect. I love Brothers Grimm, the Pre Raphaelite era, Greek and Roman mythology (even if the female characters could often use a little more agency). And here I was, writing my own. The Girl Whose Anger Grew In Her Hair. The scene where I fall from the pillar; the Repunzel-hair spilling over the bathtub; the final haircutting scene – they give me chills to watch. It’s like a three and half minute visual interpretation of my childhood to womanhood. Feeling my rage and freeing myself of the burden. I mean, we had a thorn crown and sword. The symbology and referencing were incredible.
Indie Midlands: In what ways do you feel your music challenges societal norms and defies genre boundaries?
Lucy Lane: I consider myself a conceptual artist, so many of my songs are tied to big ideas or social issues. The orgasm gap, female rage, dissociation and depression, abandonment. Society has functioned on the silence of women. I’m inspired by the Alanis’s and Sinead’s of the world who have, very loudly, said fuck that, and turned protest into song. I’ve only just got started though; lyrically, I’m becoming less and less cautious.
As for genre – it’s both helpful and limiting at once. I’m more than happy to be considered ‘Pop’ or commercial, in the sense that I’d like lots of people to hear and like my songs. But I refuse to be boxed into any one genre. Even if labels or playlisters would prefer it. In ‘I Don’t Want To Angry’, you’ve got pop, rock, electronic and blues. I love the idea of all these references and experiences turning up in the production, even if just for a moment.
Indie Midlands: What role do you believe anger plays in the human experience, and how does it shape your creative process?
Lucy Lane: A pivotal role. All progressive laws have been implemented thanks to a righteous sense of anger in the face of injustice. Anger can be life-saving. You think a mother’s not gonna take on a bear if it threatens her baby? Anger shapes my creative process if it’s necessary for the song. In the same way anxiety shaped ‘Cry Me An Ocean’, frustration shaped ‘I’m Not Coming’ and ‘LoveCycle’. Emotion shapes them, depending on the experience they’re retelling. I’m a singing cavewoman.
Indie Midlands: How has your personal journey and experiences influenced the raw and emotive delivery of your vocals in ‘I Don’t Want To Be Angry’?
Lucy Lane: This is the first song that really explores my range. It begins low and requires some degree of power by the end. I had some insecurity around using my fuller, mature voice for a while. I thought it sounded cliche, or too theatrical. Glad I got over that hurdle. I remember listening to ‘Dirty Dog’ by Jane N’ The Jungle and thinking, I’ll never be able to deliver big notes like that. Then I told myself not to be such a baby and went and did it. So I think maturity, in that sense, played a big part in the delivery. As well as simply channelling my anger and screaming a bit.
Indie Midlands: Looking ahead, what can fans expect from your upcoming releases and your artistic evolution in the dark-pop scene?
Lucy Lane: More unfiltered honesty. More statistic-based pop. More risk-taking. I’m still working out what I’m comfortable sharing. But I’m becoming more resilient to misinterpretation and criticism with every song. So that’s exciting, at least for me. My next two songs take on dating apps and dissociation. If they’re interested in those themes, keep listening!