After an extended hiatus, Labrador Labratories return with ‘Coded to be Free’, a reflective and immersive new single that reintroduces the indie outfit with a renewed sense of purpose and artistic clarity.
Blending lo-fi textures, dreamlike melodies, and understated psychedelia, the track captures the warmth and emotional subtlety that has long defined the band’s sound while pushing their songwriting into more introspective territory.
Originally formed in 2009 by Tom Gottlieb and Noam Vardy, Labrador Labratories built a reputation through emotive songwriting, analogue-rich production, and deeply personal live performances across Europe. Emerging from Tel Aviv’s collaborative indie scene, the band cultivated a distinctive identity rooted in layered guitars, soft electronic flourishes, and an intimate sense of atmosphere.
That sense of identity has always been central to the project. What began as a fictional alter ego created by Gottlieb, complete with a fabricated backstory about an artist from San Francisco, gradually evolved into a fully realised band with international recognition. Years later, that unusual origin story feels increasingly relevant in a cultural landscape shaped by curated personas and blurred digital realities.
‘Coded to be Free’ leans directly into those themes, exploring authenticity, emotional freedom, and the tension between what is real and constructed. Musically, the single balances restraint with depth, allowing spacious instrumentation and hypnotic arrangements to create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive. The band’s songwriting remains subtle yet emotionally resonant, favouring mood and texture over excess.
Accompanied by a visually symbolic video from artist Ella Michaeli, the release carries an understated emotional weight beneath its playful surface. Echoing elements of artists such as Mac DeMarco and Real Estate, Labrador Labratories nonetheless maintain a voice entirely their own, thoughtful, quietly cinematic, and deeply human.
With ‘Coded to be Free’, Labrador Labratories deliver a compelling return that feels timely without sacrificing authenticity. It’s a confident and beautifully understated release from a band reconnecting with both their past and their creative future.
