Lauren Early

"It's a distinct and playful sound, and a perfect example of Early's no-filler philosophy on the record...[she] brims with unrepressed energy and irresistibly catchy songwriting" - Under the Radar

Ahead of the May 19th release of her wildly fun debut album Don’t Take My Dream Away (Danger Collective Records), LA’s Lauren Early has shared its final single/video “Twisted” via Under the Radar. The idiosyncratic track perfectly showcases the album’s charm: wry lyrics, a distinct mix of hi-fi indie-pop and off-kilter rock, and a lot of heart. “I’ve never worked harder on a song than I did on ‘Twisted,’” says Early. “I fussed over this song for years, really trying to make something incomparable that has its own sound. I’ve been teaching myself to not write straight-up guitar songs and this is my feral, deepest dive at production (there’s a ‘dub’ section). Lyrically, I took a lot of inspiration from the attitude of rap music instead of indie rock on this album. I think ‘Twisted’ is a good example of this, especially the ending: ‘new life, loveless sick, you have a bad therapist…’

“In the video, I invest my hypothetical life savings in a beanie baby and lose everything, including my home,” she adds. “Then I’m left to my own devices, wandering LA with my now worthless beanie baby, foolishly performing my music. Much of ‘Don’t Take My Dream Away’ is about me kind of losing everything and being left to my own devices, wandering around LA with whatever a beanie baby represents, trying to make my music.”

“Twisted” follows previous singles “Tomorrow” and “Good Girl Bad Boy,” which have earned great press from NPR Music (All Songs Considered), UPROXX (Best New Indie), them. (Queer Music Monthly), FLOOD, Alt Citizen, The Alternative, Buzzbands.la, Best Song Ever podcast and more. Early will perform next at her hometown album release show at LA’s Genghis Cohen on May 19th; tickets are available here. She also recently announced a performance at Chicago’s Do Division Street Festival on June 4th. Don’t Take My Dream Away—due out May 19th, 2023—is now available for pre-save.

Co-produced by Early and Tabor Allen (Cherry Glazerr), Don’t Take My Dream Away is a perfect introduction to the singular artist—its songs are funny but wholeheartedly earnest, relentlessly memorable while refusing to overstay their welcome. “I wanted to make a Last Splash, a Dookie, a Siamese Dream…an album with absolutely no dead weight that takes you on a journey and adds another layer of joy, catharsis, and…vibes to your life,” she says.

Early spent years touring in bands like Girlpool and Surf Curse, and is now establishing herself as an artist in her own right—and one of the most refreshing and promising new voices in indie rock. The 13 songs on Don’t Take My Dream Away come from a devastating but transformative period of loss for her. “A few years ago, my entire world basically fell apart. Everything was in sync in the worst way. I had a horrible health scare that made me uncertain of my life itself, and I was simultaneously losing my closest friends at the time, my relationship, my income. It felt like the world ended and then, right after that, it actually kind of did (lockdown). I was in the rubble,” Early explains. “It’s very cheesy but in these moments of like…apocalypse of self, music has always been there to save me. It’s such a gift. And making this album was me saving and rebuilding my own life.” Embracing overwhelming ambition during one of the toughest chapters of her life, she pushed herself both musically and lyrically to make something unparalleled and career-defining.

More Praise for Don’t Take My Dream Away:

“What I love about ‘Good Girl Bad Boy’ are the many style and personality shifts that happen within the song.” - NPR Music’s Bob Boilen (All Songs Considered)

“Early’s lackadaisical vocal delivery pairs well with beatbox rhythms and playful guitar work; it’s reminiscent of Beck at his wackiest.” - them. on “Good Girl Bad Boy” (Queer Music Monthly)

“With a lo-fi, bedroom-pop sound, Lauren Early captures the feeling of Gen Z”

- UPROXX on “Good Girl Bad Boy” (Best New Indie)

“a lo-fi yet upbeat anthem worthy of a colorful karaoke performance”

- FLOOD Magazine on “Good Girl Bad Boy”

“Early’s catchiest and most clever song to date…a genuinely fun time”

- Alt Citizen on “Good Girl Bad Boy”

“‘Good Girl Bad Boy’ will have you wanting to dive into the world of Lauren Early ASAP.”

- If It’s Too Loud