Adult Leisure Discuss Debut Album

With a swaggering sense of momentum and a debut album on the horizon, Bristol’s alt-indie quartet Adult Leisure are making 2025 their year. Their latest single ‘See Her’—a bittersweet burst of pop-fuelled sarcasm laced with saxophone from The 1975/Sam Fender collaborator John Waugh—lands May 9th, and it’s a potent taste of what’s to come from their October LP, The Things You Don’t Know Yet. Following breakout tracks like ‘Dancing Don’t Feel Right’ and ‘Borderline’, the band are sharpening their signature blend of nostalgia, vulnerability and vibrancy into something both hook-heavy and emotionally resonant. We caught up with them to talk about the making of the single, musical chemistry, and what’s fuelling the most exciting chapter of their career so far.

1. “See Her” is described as a sarcastic take on the breakdown of a relationship—how did you approach writing the lyrics to make sure it was more about empowerment than sadness?

I think it’s easy to get stuck in the sorrow of a breakup, almost like you're drowning in the grief of it. But there are stages to it, and when you reach the point of acceptance, of being happy in your own skin, that’s when you can see past the rose-tinted glasses. You start reflecting on where you were, where you are now, and how life is better after that chapter comes to an end.

We wanted the song to carry that sense of happiness and reflection, and I think we found that balance perfectly. Not every breakup song has to be sad. Sometimes, you just need that “fuck this” mentality. Take Go Your Own Way, for example—it’s upbeat, has a great hook, and embodies the empowerment of owning the breakup, rather than letting it consume you.

2. You’ve worked with John Waugh of The 1975 on this track—how did his contribution on saxophone elevate the song, and what was it like collaborating with such a seasoned artist?

Working with John was amazing. As soon as we knew it was a possibility, we were all really excited. The song was already something we were proud of, but having such a talented musician on the track took it to the next level—it was the icing on the cake. He immediately brought something recognisable and fun to the song.

3. With the upcoming debut album The Things You Don’t Know Yet, how does “See Her” fit into the overall narrative or mood of the record?

The thing about See Her is that it’s probably the happiest-sounding song on the album, along with Dancing Don’t Feel Right. A lot of the album features upbeat music, but the lyrics often have a deeper, more melancholic feel—kind of like kitchen-sink drama, but set against a pop music backdrop.

4. Your sound has been described as nostalgic yet fresh, blending 90s guitar with modern pop sensibilities. What influences or artists have shaped Adult Leisure’s distinctive style?

For the modern pop elements, we were listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s album. The production on that album, along with the hooks, was something we all really admired. A lot of our major influences are bands like The Smiths, The Cure, and Tears for Fears. So, blending that modern pop element with the 80s/90s influence helped shape our sound, giving it a nostalgic feel but with a modern twist. Ultimately, though, we just wanted to make music we love and would listen to ourselves.

5. After a packed year with festival appearances and a tour across Europe, what are you most excited about with your first full UK headline tour and the release of your debut album?

Personally, this will be my first tour with the band, so I’m really excited to hit the road with them. I’m also looking forward to playing the new songs from the album—we’ve started rehearsing them now, and it’s brought a fresh energy to our practices, which gets everyone hyped. Also, playing new venues like Day & Night in Manchester and returning to The Cornish Bank in Falmouth is going to be special.