British indie singer-songwriter Jude Lilley (Moreish Idols) unveils Crook Decker, a bold new solo venture that transforms the gritty dissonance of urban life into hypnotic alt-pop. The debut album ‘Graffiti Lagoon’ is out now via all my thoughts (Seb Wildblood’s label), with focus track “Living In Paradise” showcasing the project’s murky yet captivating sound.
Born from lockdown isolation in 2020, Crook Decker emerged as Lilley’s sonic alter ego—a swamp-dwelling persona navigating the chaos of city living. What began as a creative experiment between two old friends evolved over five years into a fully realized world where Peckham becomes a swamp and skyscrapers loom like ancient structures through digital haze.
Following the release of lead single “Beacon” on October 21st, the album has been acclaimed as a bold step forward in Lilley’s artistic journey. “Living In Paradise kinda speaks for itself,” Lilley explains. “It took me some hard truths to realise I’ll never be a better person when my back is turned. It was time to put some effort into embracing my new urban environment and take some accountability by adjusting my attitude and listening to the chaotic beauty around me.”
Drawing comparisons to the slacker-pop sensibilities of Pavement and Mac DeMarco, the experimental edge of Guided By Voices, and the storytelling prowess of Beck and Tom Waits, Crook Decker carves out its own swampy territory in contemporary indie music. The project marks a significant artistic evolution for Lilley, showcasing a more intimate, sample-driven approach that complements his work with Cornwall psych-pop outfit Moreish Idols.
Released via Seb Wildblood’s all my thoughts label, known for championing boundary-pushing electronic and indie artists, ‘Graffiti Lagoon’ arrives as one of 2025’s most intriguing debut projects—a fever dream born from pandemic isolation that refuses to look backwards.
Produced by Charlie Ockmore (aka Sonny) of South London collective 404 Guild, Crook Decker represents a long-awaited collaboration between two old friends seeking creative liberation from their main projects. Their shared vision transforms lockdown claustrophobia into expansive sonic landscapes—what started as a lockdown experiment in 2020 evolved over five years into a fully realized sonic world where Peckham becomes a swamp, skyscrapers morph into ancient structures, and the chaotic beauty of urban life finds its voice.
‘Graffiti Lagoon’ captures the disorientation of modern urban existence through Crook Decker’s distinctive lens: indie sensibilities meet lo-fi production values and swamp-dwelling atmospherics, creating something that feels both intimately personal and universally relatable. It’s music for navigating concrete jungles and finding beauty in unexpected places—a hypnotic blend of gritty textures and dreamy introspection.
The album is available now via all my thoughts.
SOURCE: Official Bio