Today’s Song: “youarefire” by LANY

pictured above:: LANY (from left to right): Jake Goss, Paul Klein, Les Priest

Self-described as “dream-pop meets R&B,” Los Angeles-based trio LANY offer a unique style of music artistry that ultimately separates them from everyone else in the alt-pop scene. Drawing from a number of influences, their songs are electronica ecstasy unlike anything your ears will ever experience. No song feels truer to this (admittedly personal) sentiment than the track “youarefire,” which comes from their latest EP entitled i loved you.

“youarefire” is simply the newest track that LANY has to offer, but that’s not to say that their other tunes aren’t remarkable as well. Their distinctly synth-y, sexy electro-grooves have been excellently showcased in the past, with tracks like the yearning “ILYSB,” the pseudo-club tune “Hot Lights,” and, most recently, the 80s-inspired track “4EVER!” Each song has a sound all its own, all while creating and maintaining a freshness that the music scene may not necessarily need, but rather so greatly deserves.

The band itself only just celebrated their first birthday back in April. The group consists of three best friends: Paul Klein, Jake Goss, and Les Priest. They’re hip as hell, have the best fashion sense (Paul is actually a model, too) and killer social media presences; all while nurturing inimitably creative vibes that are entirely all their own.

LANY (from left to right): Jake Goss, Paul Klein, Les Priest
LANY (from left to right): Jake Goss, Paul Klein, Les Priest

“youarefire” is driven by a blend of dreamy synth, echoed drums, and an effervescent guitar riff that whisks the listener into a wonderfully wistful dream-pop world. Paul Klein’s vocals make the song to sound like a nostalgic high school anecdote; creating memories within the listener’s mind that may not even exist. The song reminds its listeners of young love; the kind that had once made you feel like nothing else in the world mattered. Puppy love.

Just under five till the next bell rings; sneak it though, and sneak a touch. Do you think they saw? Can’t keep my hands to myself, when you’re in that push-up bra.

Imagine your first love (or lust) that you experienced in high school. The thrill; the adventure; the excitement of the unknown. LANY and “youarefire” exemplify and typify these feelings, pairing them with instrumentals that equally match this dreamy nostalgia.

Half-days and Fridays and any days, any days without school means more days and more ways of running around and fooling around with you. And screw the rules, life is short; can’t tell me how to live…

Thrust even further in its lyrical melodicism, the song’s chorus is a reflective refrain that especially epitomizes young life and young love. It laments the “golden age;” the supposed “best years” of your life, singing from the heart and soul of a forlorn young romantic. It is everything you imagined your teen-dream-high-school-fantasy-from-a-movie to be.

Too young for love, not old enough to buy some cigarettes; but we’ve got both, we’ve got it all, smoky scenes and kissin’ necks; this is it, we are gold; you are fire.

LANY, i loved you.
i loved you. EP – LANY

The bridge then riffs into a bouncy guitar punctuated by repetitive drum beats and a spellbound synth that expresses an entire story without using any words at all. As one listens (especially if using headphones), it’s not terribly difficult to become engrossed in the song’s persistent musing.

If you yourself had once believed in this idea of “young love” or “puppy love,” take a listen to this track. I guarantee that it will remind you of days long past, whether the lyrics are relevant to you or not. It’s the meaning that lies within the story that matters most; the reminiscence within its lyrics and the sincerity in Paul Klein’s voice that truly drive this song home.

This song, as well as all the others on the newly released i loved you. EP, prove that LANY is a trio not to be trifled with. You can purchase i loved you. on iTunes or stream it in full on SoundCloud and Spotify.

LANY (from left to right): Jake Goss, Les Priest, and Paul Klein
LANY (from left to right): Jake Goss, Les Priest, and Paul Klein

Like LANY on Facebook  /  Follow LANY on Twitter

Listen: “youarefire” – LANY

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/209265274″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

:: “youarefire” – LANY ::

lyrics

‘Round the corner and down the hall
You’re the only one I see
A little over five-feet tall
Just under five till the next bell rings
Sneak it though, and sneak a touch
Do you think they saw?
Can’t keep my hands to myself, when you’re in
In that push-up bra

Too young for love
But not old enough, to pass up cigarettes
But we got both, we got it all
Smokey seats, and kissing necks
This is it, we are gold, you are fire
Don’t wanna learn, I’m scared to burn
Pray to god you’re not a liar

Half-days and Fridays and any days, any days without school
Means more days and
More ways of running around and fooling around with you
And screw the rules, life is short
Can’t tell me how to live
Don’t wanna look like mom and dad anyways
Yelling words and throwing fits

Too young for love
But not old enough, to pass up cigarettes
But we got both, we got it all
Smokey seats, and kissing necks
This is it, we are gold, you are fire
Don’t wanna learn, I’m scared to burn
Pray to god you’re not a liar

[Instrumental Bridge]

Too young for love
But not old enough, to pass up cigarettes
But we got both, we got it all
Smokey seats, and kissing necks
This is it, we are gold, you are fire
Don’t wanna learn, I’m scared to burn
Pray to god you’re not a liar

More from Maggie McHale
Music You Should Know: TENDER Explore Peace and Discord Through ‘Modern Addiction’
TENDER’s debut LP, Modern Addiction, delicately explicates a duality of brokenness and...
Read More