With his debut album, ‘Chew The Scenery’, Oscar Lang is proving just how far he’s come - but the journey is only just getting started. Words: Jamie Muir. Photo: Jordan Curtis Hughes.

“I’ll be honest,” grins Oscar Lang. “I’ve no idea how on earth I’ve become a songwriter. I’m sure this shouldn’t be happening!” Cracking into laughter, it’s the perfect introduction to the fully-formed world of Oscar Lang. It’s one packed with an inextinguishable zest for life and technicolour moments that’s ultimately led to this very moment. One that understands the importance of what’s going on around it but searches for the joy in spite of it all. To dive on in is like falling into a swimming pool full of jelly beans.

Since the very first moment he opened his box of bops (an actual trademarked thing, we promise), it’s seemed like the dawning of a new jukebox genius was a matter of when, not if. ‘Chew The Scenery’, Oscar’s debut album ‘proper’, is that exact moment. A wonderfully bold and warm release that takes you on a ride across the grandest fireworks and warmest campfires in equal measure, it’s bound to reach out exactly when you need it to. There’s something special about Oscar Lang, and ‘Chew The Scenery’ is undeniable proof.

Behind the sounds that move effortlessly from jubilant indie-stompers to mesmeric Beach Boys-esque pop with ease comes a record yearning to connect and a dreamer looking to make sense of the world. “It’s funny because my mates know me as a bit of a savage person, really, because I just cut around the bullshit,” explains Oscar. “I like to tell people how it is because I don’t like lying to people or messing them about. I think that comes through in the songs. I just want to be truthful and tell people how I feel, and I just hope that people can relate to it and feel better. I know personally when I’ve been going through my roughest periods, what makes me feel better is knowing that other people are going through rough shit too. Everybody goes through these things, and it’s just so important to recognise that. I just hope that something I do, big or small, can help someone.”