With the release of his debut album, The Academy, in September of 2024, Vermont-based musician Lutalo was able to peer deeply into the American Dream, navigating its treacherous waters and reflecting its hopes and fears through a collection of vibrant stories anchored by the reality of peripheral survival. He’s spent the subsequent months opening for Nilüfer Yanya and Interpol and is now getting ready for a headlining tour of North America.
On his new standalone single, “I Figured”, focused his attention inward, detailing the nuance of love and the velocity of lust. It’s a more atmospheric approach than his work on The Academy might suggest, but the track sustains its rambling spirit through curling strands of acoustic guitar and his soulful voice. The song finds a determined rhythmic gait and builds a considerable force around its tumbled percussive contours.
“‘I Figured’ is about a ‘situationship’ that likely should not be, yet still find themselves coming back to each other,” Lutalo explains. “There is a bit of resentment and tension between both people, but when it comes to turning each other down they still end up falling for each other. Maybe it’s love, maybe it’s lust. Even going as far as seeing ‘two elevens’ as a sign they should continue on this path.”
Listen below.
The Academy and “I Figured” are out now via Winspear. Check in with Lutalo on X and Instagram.
