Electric songs of love and loss, a modern synth-pop break-up album accompanied by moody, spectral guitar lines. Los Angeles trio, LANY, have created a concoction of modern synth/dream pop, with the occasional echo of the electro heights of the past four decades, on the 16-track self-titled debut album.
The first track, ‘Dumb Stuff’, throws you straight into the deep end of an electronic ethereal sound, before the romantically reverbed R’n’B vocals are introduced.
There are two main vibes that remain constant throughout the entirety of this album. First of all, the atmospheric, spacey guitar tones coupled with synth drones can be quite reminiscent of an early to mid-1980’s anthem. In fact, without the classic 2010’s nightclub beats pounding, it could easily be from passed off as such.
Then suddenly, we reach songs like ‘Flowers on the Floor’ and ‘The Breakup’ and we are hit with what may as well be a Justin Timberlake and Owl City collaboration. To listen to this album is to be haunted by these two confrontations.
Although relaxing and ambient, perhaps it is just too sentimental and nostalgic for its own good. A strong competitor amongst mainstream pop and R’n’B, but not quite subtle and unspoken enough to be much of a competitor in the true alternative scene of synth/dream pop.
3/5
Polydor Records
Reviewed by Vittoria Di Martino
