The Lilac Time - Looking For a Day In The Night

Needle Mythology, the label founded by music writer, author and broadcaster Pete Paphides, is thrilled to announce a brand new release of The Lilac Time’s universally acclaimed 1999 album Looking For A Day In The Night. Astronauts is the fifth album made by The Lilac Time – the group formed by Stephen Duffy after he retreated from pop stardom in 1987 – and their first since disbanding in the wake of their 1991 masterpiece Astronauts. The album was the first to feature Claire Worrall (now Claire Duffy), who would go on to marry Stephen Duffy and remains a member of The Lilac Time to this day. Completing the line-up on the record are Melvin Duffy (slide guitar) and the returning Nick Duffy, who contributes two instrumentals The songs on the record saw Stephen tap a rich vein of melodic introspection, tapping into the bucolic languor of his group’s eponymous debut just over a decade previously. This release of Looking For A Day In The Night marks its first ever appearance on vinyl. As with Astronauts, the album was been remastered at Abbey Road by Miles Showell. The album’s original artwork has been expanded into a gatefold sleeve by celebrated artist James Gosling and now features liner notes by author and longtime fan Caitlin Moran – and printed colour inner sleeve featuring song lyrics. Looking For A Day In The Night will also be released as a CD featuring contemporaneous B sides and live recordings. Reviewing Looking For A Day In The Night for AllMusic, Aaron Badgley praised the album’s “flawless” musicianship, describing it as “a must for any fan of folk-rock.” Confusingly, given its year of release, Looking For A Day In The Night was voted one of The Times’ 100 Greatest Albums of The 2000s. Somewhat improbably, another huge fan of the album is Robbie Williams, who asked Stephen Duffy to collaborate with him on his Intensive Care album after hearing Looking For A Day In The Night. Robbie would also go on to cover The Family Coach, one of many songs on the album which have, over time, become fan favourites.