Lava La Rue curates your Friday night playlist

After bursting onto the scene with their debut single ‘Widdit’ back in 2018, west Londoner Lava La Rue returns this summer with their hotly anticipated debut album STARFACE, a project that has been in the works for the best part of three years.

Merging upbeat psychedelic rock with romantic rap verses, the record follows the journey of a gender fluid space alien navigating the unknown territory of human nature. ‘It’s the story of an alien observing earth and the relationships they fall into. I’m excited for the storyline to come to life with the next singles,’ they say. The latest single, Lovebites, is out now, and as described by La Rue, is an ‘insufferable gay anthem’. It also comes with the news that they will be supporting California’s rapidly rising star, Remi Wolf on her Big Ideas tour in the US later this year.

Born from a need for escapism during lockdown, La Rue cemented the idea of a concept album two years ago: ‘I wanted something that feels really big, and obviously at its core it is inspired by the concept of Ziggy Stardust and people like that. I want something that feels larger than life.’

The hardest part of the process? Staying true to their original vision in a constantly shifting musical landscape – but also, not growing bored of tracks that they’ve heard ‘over four thousand times,’ they explain. ‘Realistically, it’s my debut album so I’m likely going to be touring it for the next two years. Probably selections from it for the rest of my life, it’s kind of scary. Like will it still feel relevant? Do I still back this? It helps that I feel really stoked and that I’ve always wanted to put an album out like this.’

As they celebrate the release of their latest single, what does Lava La Rue’s perfect Friday night look like? ‘For me, an ideal Friday night would be having some pals over to mine, watching something fun, then going to the pub, then maybe to an event, or just going back to mine and putting another movie on until we fall asleep. Either way is pretty good.’

Listen to the full Friday night playlist here.

Balming Tiger - Buriburi

Pom Poko - Like A Lady 

Sam Akpro - Disposition 

Crumb & Melody's Echo Chamber - Le Temple Volant

Mary in the Junkyard - Tuesday