Review: Lazy Opera
If this EP is anything to go by, LazyOpera won't stay one of the UK's best-kept secrets for much longer. They may be Covered in Lies, but there's one undeniable truth - this band deserve to be heard.
REVIEWS
7/11/20263 min read
Next up we have LazyOpera, a band from Leicestershire who are proudly flying the flag for great British guitar music.
Having already picked up BBC Introducing airplay on BBC Radio Leicester with their debut single, the band are now setting their sights on a wider audience. Inspired by the golden era of British music during the 90's, LazyOpera wear those influences proudly, but never become trapped by them. Their brand new EP, Covered in Lies, proves they are much more than another nostalgia act.
Opening track Half Empty bursts into life with an epic drum beat before soaring vocals break through the wall of sound. This is modern indie pop done absolutely right for 2026.
There are hints of The La's, Soul Asylum and the best of the Britpop era, but everything is filtered through a contemporary lens that gives the song its own identity. Sweeping guitars and soaring melodies drive the track forward, while a beautifully restrained vocal performance adds genuine emotion without ever becoming overdramatic.
One of LazyOpera's greatest strengths is their storytelling. Like the seminal Lemonheads, they have an uncanny ability to take listeners on a journey, balancing laid-back charm with an immediacy that keeps you completely invested.
Towards the end, the song drops away into a grunge-inspired breakdown before building back towards one final triumphant chorus.
An incredible opener.
Eat You Alive immediately changes the mood with a darker introduction that recalls the atmosphere of Pablo Honey-era Radiohead, albeit with a thoroughly modern twist. Once again, the vocal performance is exceptional, full of conviction and emotion, while the layered instrumentation creates an enormous sense of depth.
The way LazyOpera build their songs is genuinely impressive. Every rise, every fall and every carefully judged breakdown feels deliberate, creating moments of tension before unleashing another huge chorus.
The calm before the storm has become something of a trademark already, and they execute it brilliantly once again here.
It's Over arrives as the EP's brightest moment. This is the kind of song made for warm summer evenings with the roof down and the volume turned all the way up.
The strained vocal delivery adds character and vulnerability, while the band's remarkable understanding of space allows every instrument room to breathe. The soaring chorus tackles heartbreak, yet somehow feels incredibly uplifting at the same time.
It is a wonderfully bittersweet slice of modern guitar pop.
The lead guitar work deserves special mention too, adding subtle layers that elevate the track far beyond standard indie fare. There is intelligence running through every decision this band make, and it shows.
The EP closes with Under My Skin, arriving gently like a lullaby before gradually unfolding into something much bigger. The opening vocal refrain carries faint echoes of early Feeder, but delivered with greater emphasis and personality.
The song gently winds its way forward before exploding into an emotionally charged chorus that feels both huge and completely genuine.
That authenticity is perhaps the defining characteristic of LazyOpera.
Nothing here feels manufactured. Nothing feels forced. Every lyric, melody and performance comes across as honest, heartfelt and refreshingly real.
It is the perfect way to bring an outstanding EP to a close.
Covered in Lies is an impressively confident collection of songs that proves LazyOpera are far more than another indie band looking backwards. They have absorbed the best parts of the 90's guitar scene and reimagined them for today's audience, creating music that is melodic, emotional and packed with memorable hooks without ever sacrificing substance.
If this EP is anything to go by, LazyOpera won't stay one of the UK's best-kept secrets for much longer. They may be Covered in Lies, but there's one undeniable truth - this band deserve to be heard.
Upcoming live dates:
25th July - Highfields Adventure Playground, Leicester - Charity event supporting the campaign to save the playground.
23rd August - Mini Monocle, Loughborough.
11th September - Real Ale Classroom, Leicester.