An epic multi-part anthem from Scottish songwriter, storyteller and performer Norman Lamont.  Lots of words.  YOU decide what they mean…

Release Date:  8th March 2024

Label: Self Release

Formats: Digital

No.  Not THAT Norman Lamont.

Hailing from Ayr and now resident in Edinburgh, THIS Norman Lamont has never sat on the Tory front bench, but he does, nevertheless, have an admirable talent in storytelling.  He’s been writing songs since he was 16 years old and he specializes in what he describes as ‘surreal stories,’ as well as relationship songs, and application and expression of Zen philosophies – all tinged with a dash of humour.  He fronts his own band, Norman Lamont and the Heaven Sent and Millers Lake, his new single, is the follow up to the band’s 2023 album, Turn.

Millers Lake is an epic.  Six minutes in length, it assumes a range of disparate musical forms – an atmospheric opening sequence gives way to a passage of synth-driven funk which, in turn, yields to a spot of acoustic contemplation, backed by pattering electronic rhythms, and the whole thing is wrapped up as a widescreen anthem, complete with string effects, strummed guitars and mellow bass.  That’s a lot to cram into a single, even if you have allowed yourself six minutes to accommodate it all!  Norman has called the song “A patchwork of musical styles with no chorus,” and that’s a good way of starting to set expectations.

But, it’s perhaps Norman’s lyrics that give Millers Lake that special distinction.  Norman describes it as: “…a song about someone undergoing a transformation, but that transformation is open to interpretation” and, with lyrics like: “She walked along the beach/ The stones that crunched beneath her foot surprised her with their speech” and “She sat beside the door/ It rattled like a boiling pot and grumbled on the floor,” there’s certainly enough imagery and enigma here to satisfy even the staunchest Lewis Carroll acolyte.  Norman cites Paul Simon, Eno and The Incredible String Band amongst those who inspired the song.  You can see where he’s coming from.

Sometimes, life – and music – presents us with more questions than answers.  Norman Lamont has done precisely that with Millers Lake; and, when a song does that to you, maybe the best way to handle the situation to listen again.  And again.  And again.

Watch the official video to Millers Lake here:

Norman Lamont online: Official Website / Facebook / YouTube / Bandcamp

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