Review by Dom Vigil
Romantic, intimate and sometimes completely and utterly heartbroken, LANY are exploring the ups and downs of love on their self-titled debut full length album. With lush instrumentals and transparent lyricism, LANY invite listeners into their world while also expanding on their sound, and the result is a very relatable release that you’re sure to fall in love with.
With the dreamy, synth-driven opening track, LANY ease you into the album while already playing with new sounds that can’t be heard on their previous releases. “Dumb Stuff,” although carried by Paul Klein’s signature vocals, sounds unlike any other LANY song, promising quite a bit of much needed diversity from this album. The sound of rain that serves as the backdrop to the song also does a great job of setting the mood before the heartbreaking, “The Breakup” comes in. And it’s songs like “The Breakup” where LANY truly shine. Honest, incredibly personal lyrics spearhead this slower song while synth, guitar and drums merge together to create a stunning soundscape.
After “The Breakup” comes “Super Far,” which is on the opposite end of the spectrum sonically. Where “The Breakup” is carried by smooth instrumentals, “Super Far” is very staccato and reverb-heavy, with vocals spearheading the song. Lyrically, this song also begins to drive home the themes of the album, especially in the line, “If this is love, I don’t want it.”
Flowing with the vibe on “Super Far” is the mellow “Overtime.” This is the side of LANY fans have been waiting to hear. Compared to their previous EPs, this full-length gives LANY the chance to explore different musical landscapes and moods instead of simply delivering hit after poppy hit, and “Overtime” is a perfect example of this. The next track, “Flowers On The Floor” merges the tone of “Overtime” with the upbeat, poppy sound that LANY excels at. With atmospheric synth coupled with groovy guitar work, this is LANY at their best.
“Parents,” a voicemail to drummer Jake Goss comes right before the band’s smash single, “ILYSB,” which really seems to put things in perspective. This also feels like the massive middle peak in the album before things begin to wind down. “ILYSB” is followed by the stripped down “13,” which explores yet another side of LANY with a simple drum beat and soft guitar. Lyrically, this song contrasts “ILYSB” as well, chronicling the questions that run through your head after a breakup – “Where did we go wrong?”
As the album begins to wind down a little bit, it’ll become obvious that sonically, there aren’t necessarily many peaks and valleys on this release. However, where the album seems to stay on the same level energy-wise, it is certainly diverse instrumentally and emotionally. On this spectrum, “Hurts” is a standout because it choses to look inward. Instead of discussing how someone else broke his heart, Klein admits, “Honestly it’s me/I am so messed up,” before taking another step back to reference the band’s song, “Pink Skies.”
Bringing the album to a stunning and quiet close is the beautiful instrumental track, “So, Soo Pretty” followed by the bittersweet, “It Was Love,” which really encompasses the album’s theme of love, heartbreak and letting go. With this massive full-length (and I say massive, because it clocks in at sixteen songs in length) LANY are able to not only explore sounds they haven’t had a chance to showcase on previous releases but also take listeners on an emotional and personal journey. By the time it comes to an end, you’ll feel more connected with the band than ever.
LISTEN TO: “The Breakup,” “Super Far” or “It Was Love”
STAY CONNECTED WITH LANY: https://www.facebook.com/thisislany/