Lazy ZsofiI first came across IDER during my university days, soundtracking my scenic walks to the library with You’ve Got Your Whole Life Ahead of You Baby. Every lyric felt personal. Since then, I’ve grown—and so has their music, always finding me at just the right life phase.
Their brand-new third studio album, Late to the World, is their rawest and most confident yet—uncompromising in sound and lyrics, bold yet emotionally mature. It’s the perfect soundtrack for the lives of today’s self-declared lazy women.
In a full-circle moment, I had the chance to talk to the London-based duo just days before their new album’s release – Meg and Lily.
When asked about the origins of their band name, Lily says, “It’s a mysterious one – we wanted something fresh, something we could put our own stamp on.” And that’s exactly what they’ve been doing since their debut album Emotional Education in 2019.
The duo first met 12 years ago at university, at a music course. “Our friendship has always been at the heart of making music,” Meg reflects. After university, they worked on different projects with different bands but knew they wanted to continue collaborating. Eventually, Meg convinced Lily to move to London, where they started working with producers and friends—and that’s where it all really kicked off.
Their sophomore album shame came out during the pandemic, a time that majorly influenced their path as musicians. “We left our first label and made the second album in a very DIY way,” Lily shares. “It was a strange but creative time. There were scary things happening, but we were lucky enough to be in a bubble with no distractions.”
That period of reflection has paved the way for their latest release, an album recorded in a church-turned-studio. “We lived there, creating a focused, protected space,” Lily says. “It made the album feel very intentional.”
Indeed, Late to the World sounds rawer, bolder, and wilder to me. “There’s definitely more confidence in the music,” Meg affirms. “Quite often, I think you kind of want to chuck everything at a song because you’re nervous about what you’re really trying to say or what you want people to hear.
We made a conscious effort to only really say exactly what we mean and use the sounds and production in a way that just brings that message forward in the most powerful way.
One track in particular, Girl, leans into a different sound, reminiscent of Charli XCX and Tove Lo. “It’s definitely the most dance-leaning track,” Meg explains. “But Zero has an edge too, and Killing the Game is another one we’re excited for people to hear.”
Their songwriting process has evolved over time, but one principle remains: “The song is the most important person in the room,” according to Lily. Whether they write together from scratch or refine each other’s ideas, their process is organic, with the goal in mind to actually serve the music they are trying to create. “For me, songwriting is about observing and reflecting emotions”, says Lily.
When asked about dream collaborations, their wish list includes Sharon Van Etten, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Blondshell, as well as Fontaine’s DC. But for now, they’re focused on their upcoming tour, kicking off in really just a few weeks, in March. “Touring makes everything make sense,” Meg says. “Connecting with people at shows is the best part.” While both are excited for different stops—Berlin, New York, and Paris (which is already sold out!)—one thing is clear: with Late to the World, IDER is ready to take their music to even greater heights.
Written by Zsofi Borsi. Find her latest pieces here!
Photo credits @ IDER