Song of the Day: Bubblegum Lemonade - This Is The New Normal

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “This Is The New Normal” by Bubblegum Lemonade from the 2013 album Some Like It Pop on Matinée Recordings.

Bubblegum Lemonade - This Is The New Normal (MP3)

Three years ago, as a launch tool for his indie-pop stylings, Lawrence "Laz" McCluskey created the one-man outfit Bubblegum Lemonade. His appreciation for classic music is refreshing, after all, he named the band after Mama Cass' 1969 solo album, Bubblegum, Lemonade, and Something for Mama. He's not only a solo act -- around the same time, the Scottish artist joined his friend Sandra under the name Strawberry Whiplash. However, earlier this year it was all about McCluskey's third Bubblegum Lemonade album. Some Like It Pop was added to the long list of Scotland's album of the year nominees, which is one of the highest music accolades in his home country. "This Is The New Normal" definitely doesn't start out as your typical pop number. For example, a fiddle isn't usually in your average pop musicians instrumental repertoire. It's hard to fathom that one man is responsible for such a lush, layered, and sophisticated sound.

Laz is staying busy working with Strawberry Whiplash's on their second album, so he doesn't have any solo tour dates set at the moment. Listen for Bubblegum Lemonade on KEXP and get up-to-date performance information and new tracks on his Facebook and Sound Cloud accounts. Right now, check out the official video for the band's earlier track “I'll Never Be Yours”: