LANY’s sophomore studio album ‘Malibu Nights’ was an absolute home run of a record. Exploring the depth and complexities of heart break, the Californian trio took you into the honest realisations that were happening in lead singer, Paul Klein’s, life.
Because of the raw intimacy that this album elevated, this new chapter of their evolution was always going to be received under a heavy microscope. With their third studio album ‘mama’s boy’ slated for a late 2020 release, they’ve started dropping singles and so far all they’ve shown is a very mediocre side to their artistry.
‘good guys’ was an uncomfortable indie-pop track that headed in a “pitty me” attitude direction that felt out of place in the current musical climate. And now they’ve just dropped ‘if this is the last time’ which is an indulgent track about heading out on tour and missing their families, and questioning if that would be the last time they would say goodbye to them.
It’s an emotive lyrical concept that has some strong visual moments, but the production and vocal connection just isn’t there. I felt more emotively moved from reading the lyrics than actually listening to the song.
“If this is the last time, please come close. I love you with all my heart, you know. I don’t wanna cry, I’m bad at goodbye. If this is the last time” Klein sings.
The raw intimacy of the lyrics wasn’t captured in the production and vocal delivery, and that is simply why this song doesn’t connect the way it should. They’ve polished up the production to be more pop inclined, whereas this song should’ve been simple and candidly raw.
It’s really disappointing that it doesn’t connect, because this song had a lot of potential in being a very special moment for them.