In the run-up to the release of her upcoming album Othersides of the Moon, we had the pleasure of sitting down with singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan to talk about revisiting her past work, unexpected collaborations, and the challenges – and rewards – of giving beloved songs a new life.
For the project, Lucy turned the tracklist over to her fans – and the results were both familiar and surprising. Long-time favourites made the cut, naturally, but Lucy was especially glad to include ‘If’, noting that the I Hope You Don’t Mind Me Writing track had existed as a demo for a long time, and she always felt it was a really underrated song that hadn’t had the attention it deserved. While most fan choices aligned with what she hears requested at live shows, there were a few songs she personally hoped to include that didn’t make it onto the final album. ‘The Tourist‘ was one she particularly wanted to rework, alongside ‘Uninspired’, which she hopes might still get a second life one day.
Reworking older songs proved to be a rewarding challenge. ‘Tea & Toast’, in particular, was the hardest to get right. “I kept reworking it and it’d sound clunky,” Lucy admits. But the effort paid off, resulting in a version that sits comfortably within the album’s broader, more collaborative sound. That spirit of collaboration flows throughout the entire project. Lucy reunited with a range of musicians she’s worked with over the years, including long-time tour collaborator Josh Cana, and recorded sessions in Ireland where a revolving door of local musicians brought a colourful array of eclectic – and often unexpected – instruments into the mix. The result is an album brimming with character, depth, and a real sense of lived experience.
Looking back on her earlier material has been a revealing process. Lucy reflects on her younger self with both affection and realism. “There’s that element of when you’re young, you think you’re the shit and everything you do is great,” she says. “But when I look back, sometimes I was just writing songs for the sake of it.” Revisiting those songs now, she can hear in her voice how uncomfortable she felt in her own skin at the time. It’s a contrast to the confidence and craft she now brings to her songwriting.
Despite the retrospective nature of Othersides of the Moon, Lucy doesn’t see it as a turning point for her future music – at least not in a stylistic sense. But she does hold herself to a higher standard now, especially when it comes to writing. That growth will be on display when she hits the road in support of the album. The reworked versions will take centre stage, and she’s planning to bring friends along for the ride, offering something different from her usual performances.
One standout moment from the studio came with ‘Bodies’, a song Lucy feels now sounds radically different from its original incarnation. But perhaps the most talked-about collaboration on the album is the new version of ‘Sober’, featuring none other than Robbie Williams. The duet came about after Simon Cowell heard the track and suggested Robbie might be a good fit. As it turned out, Robbie agreed immediately, telling Lucy they had to do the duet when they met after she supported him at Sandringham. “I’ll work with anyone who’ll have me!” she laughs when asked about future collaborations, adding that she loved working on her track, ‘Stick the Kettle On‘ with Scouting for Girls, a band she says bring endless energy and fun to the stage – and are seemingly always on tour.
The album also includes two brand new songs, ‘The Lesson’ and ‘Heaven’, which were both written in LA. ‘The Lesson’ was sparked by a single poignant line – “the only thing that you forgot to do is teach me how to live without you” – which hit Lucy mid-journey to the studio. She arrived in a flurry, desperate to get the idea down before it slipped away. ‘Heaven’, meanwhile, was written in memory of a friend who passed away a few years ago. With soaring piano and strings, it’s one of the album’s most cinematic moments. Although it wasn’t written specifically for this particular project, Simon Cowell championed the track enthusiastically when she first played it to him, urging, “more strings! More strings!” Lucy jokes that she feared it might start sounding like a Disney song – before adding with a grin that the PRS royalties wouldn’t be too bad if it did.
Performing ‘Heaven’ live presents its own challenges, especially during her upcoming stripped-back in-store appearances, given the piano-led arrangement. With her vocals pushed to the forefront, Lucy acknowledges that she’s now writing more consciously for her vocal range – a natural progression in her growth as a performer.
Lucy is deeply committed to her fans, often dedicating time to meet them – whether that’s joining the queue during the day or staying after shows. She emphasises that fame isn’t the glamorous ride many perceive it to be, noting that being accessible comes with its challenges. These include dealing with unwanted physical contact and being treated as though she’s not a real person. “My relationship with my fans is built on mutual respect,” she says, attributing this to her consistent authenticity and approachability. “Plus, I’m a blue belt now,” she adds with a smile, suggesting that anyone considering crossing boundaries might think twice.
As for what comes next, she’s not actively writing for a new album just yet, but songwriting remains a constant. “It takes me about two hours to write a song,” she says. “It’s the ADHD in me – I have to finish it.” For now, her creative energy is focused on an entirely new frontier: musical theatre. She’s been tapped by none other than Jeanette Winterson to write the music for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new adaptation of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. When asked how the opportunity came about, Lucy revealed that Jeanette reportedly had just one condition for agreeing to the project: that Lucy compose the score. “That’s taking up all of my creativity,” she admits, but it’s a challenge she’s embracing wholeheartedly.
With Othersides of the Moon, Lucy offers more than just a reworking of past songs – she delivers a powerful reflection on how far she’s come, both personally and artistically. It’s a reminder that songs evolve just like the people who write them. As she prepares to take the album on tour and embarks on new creative paths, including her work in musical theatre, Lucy shows no signs of slowing down. Instead, she’s stepping forward with a clearer voice, a sharper pen, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Other Sides of the Moon is due for release on 20 June 2025.
You can read our review of Lucy’s recent Liverpool gig here.
