Crediting Jennifer Egan’s novel, Manhattan Beach, as influential in conceptualizing her album, West explains that she is “constantly reading,” and almost exclusively fiction. She has just finished reading The History of Luminous Motion, a novel she admits is “a little bit disturbing.” Written by Scott Bradfield, the premise involves a broken home, death, drugs, and paranormal activity. This is harnessed on tracks like “Bliss Now!” with lyrics like: “Today I’m 25 I bought myself a knife / I want to ooze like something sick / Another layer.” Dark and vulnerable, it’s a deep exploration of self, a fearless dive into the depths of our multifaceted psyche. Countering this are tracks like “Castle Life” with delicate vocals and pure instrumentation; and “Beautiful Directions,” an optimistic ribbon that wraps up the album succinctly. 

Chatty and thoughtful, West recalls falling into the DIY music scene in Chicago when she moved to the city seven years prior. The music, the vibe, the people — she simply wanted to be a part of it. “In my opinion it’s the best city in America. It’s just so supportive,” she says of Chicago’s indie music community that was quick to embrace her and lift her up. Having carved out a place for herself with a distinct and unique approach to songwriting, West’s Lala Lala is continuing to grow and open new doors as her songwriting evolves. 

I Want The Door To Open is out now via Hardly Art