This week we’re easing you in with the laid-back, soulful sounds of Lionel Boy, the Hawaii-born, California-based songwriter. Although this is the first time we’re covering the mysterious musician, ‘Lately’ is his third track release, following singles ‘Lost’ and ‘Summer Fun’, all of which will feature on LB’s debut EP, Who Is Davey?. The newest addition to the EP is a breezy summer song that embodies the SoCal alt-pop style with a fresh lofi feel. Here this emerging artist recalls the making of ‘Lately’: “Last year, we had a week of rain in Long Beach. It was then that I wrote ‘Lately.’ I’d just begun learning how to incorporate samples into my songwriting, and ‘Lately’ was the first project I was able to complete doing so. There was gloom, smoke and a feeling of monotony in the air—I think that comes through in the music. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I was feelin’ some type of way.” Compared to ‘Summer Fun’, the bass and saxophone in this third song are almost kept at a distance, veiled underneath moody production that sets the scene for humid, rainy days where we’re left alone with our thoughts. - Hannah Thacker