{"product_id":"late-checkout","title":"Late Checkout","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDent May\u003c\/strong\u003e confidently croons on his fifth LP, \u003cem\u003eLate Checkout\u003c\/em\u003e, \"Full speed ahead now, no more looking back.\" The un-nostalgic sentiment and sobering clarity of May’s latest body of work signifies the 35-year-old songwriter from Mississippi taking a reflective rest-stop on the winding road of his now decade-long career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter relocating to Los Angeles in 2015, touring his last record \u003cem\u003eAcross the Multiverse\u003c\/em\u003e around the world, and building his own Honeymoon Suite Recording Studio with friends Pat Jones and Michael Rosen, May suddenly found himself with the chance to take his time making a record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the dozen thematically-linked tracks on \u003cem\u003eLate Checkout\u003c\/em\u003e, May grapples with the swinging emotions of our contemporary reality with a rare optimism and distinguished sound. Bearing the torch of classic American songwriters that have inspired him like Harry Nilsson, Carole King, and Randy Newman, May has gingerly cultivated his iPhone note scribbles and subconscious melodies into songs that could stand the test of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLeaving the comfort of home-recording, May set out to elevate the production quality on \u003cem\u003eLate Checkout\u003c\/em\u003e while maintaining some intimacy through sparse arrangements. After writing and performing parts for a bulk of the instruments on the album, May filled out his orchestrations by inviting string players, a horn section, background vocalists, and a pair of auxiliary drummers to play on the album.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eContrary to the instant gratification permitted by modern home-recording, May made a conscious decision to slow down and pay careful attention to his songwriting on this album. He began to savor the minutiae of his daily life spent wandering around LA, not getting invited to hang with friends, and waking up in hotel rooms after DJing weddings. May drew on these moments in his lyrics and began assembling ballads at his new studio, mimicking the bittersweet tone and consistent work ethic of Motown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMay reveals about the album’s opener \u003cem\u003eHotel Stationary\u003c\/em\u003e, \"I’ve been collecting stationery from almost every hotel I’ve stayed at for the past ten years. I’ve always been drawn to the nature of hotels. I think it relates to this sense of always feeling out of place and my constant wanderlust.\" On \u003cem\u003eLate Checkout\u003c\/em\u003e’s first single, \u003cem\u003eI Could Use A Miracle\u003c\/em\u003e, May sings about the desperation of feeling down-and-out against a lush and upbeat pop instrumental.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe groovy \u003cem\u003eEasier Said Than Done\u003c\/em\u003e is decorated with bright keys and syncopated drums while May sings about coming to the end of his journey to find love. \u003cem\u003eSea Salt and Caramel\u003c\/em\u003e, spilled out of May as a saccharine love song to his girlfriend, adding pure sweetness to balance the record’s melancholy pallet. From beginning to end, May bares his soul on each track across \u003cem\u003eLate Checkout\u003c\/em\u003e, offering a reluctant goodbye to his former selves, before wandering home.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carpark","offers":[{"title":"Blue | LP","offer_id":50473101754699,"sku":"1096231","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50473101427019,"sku":"1096230","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d530d1e6-5490-4f6d-b518-c11892707c51_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727426653","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/products\/late-checkout","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}