Malibu Nights is the second studio album by American indie pop band LANY. It was released on October 5, 2018, by Side Street Entertainment and Polydor Records. The album was produced by Mike Crossey.
Background[]
LANY’s sophomore album, Malibu Nights, was announced via a post on frontman Paul Klein’s Instagram page on March 8th of 2018 and was released almost exactly seven months later on October 5th, 2018. Klein has stated that the album was written from January 4th to February 14th and “you’re gonna love it.” The first single from Malibu Nights, “Thru These Tears,” was released on July 17th, 2018, thus beginning the band’s self-proclaimed “moon era.” The album’s second single, “I Don’t Wanna Love You Anymore,” followed on August 22nd, 2018. “Thick and Thin” and “If You See Her” followed as the final singles in September and October of 2018, respectively.
Following the album’s release, Klein stated that:
- "i hope i live forever. but if i died tomorrow, i’d wanna be remembered for writing these 9 songs."
The subject matter of Malibu Nights is centered around the aftermath of an unexpected break-up, initiated by the narrator’s partner. Tracks such as “I Don’t Wanna Love You Anymore” and “Thick and Thin,” as well as the title track, “Malibu Nights,” explore confusion and heartbreak. “Run” serves as a semi-vengeful track, with Klein telling his former lover not to run back to him when she’s done after he discovers she’s returned to her ex.
Writing and recording[]
Malibu Nights was written and recorded in early 2018 following the end of a romantic relationship frontman Paul Jason Klein was having with English singer Dua Lipa. Klein says he wrote music as a form of catharsis without the idea of an album in mind but realized after "50 days" that he had written the band's second album. Klein later stated he was thankful for experiencing heartbreak as it allowed him a productive and therapeutic outlet.
The album was originally planned to be called January but was renamed to be more universal.
Music[]
The album's sound was characterised as "airy, treacly and catchy" by Bandwagon Asia. Billboard called it the band's "most vulnerable work to date" and a set of "nine lush pop songs". The lead single "Thru These Tears" was called a "somber exploration of lost love" and "a song about finding the hope in sorrow". Second single "I Don't Wanna Love You Anymore" details the "anguish and heartache felt after a lover unexpectedly leaves frontman and lead vocalist Paul Jason Klein", with the pre-chorus: "Sick of staring up at the ceiling. How'd you change your mind just like that? The only way to get past this feeling, is to tell myself you're not coming back".
Along with lyrics about "love, longing and loss in the wake of heartbreak", the album incorporates more guitar, piano and drums than their self-titled debut. The album's title track is based around a piano instrumental.
Tracklist[]
| Standard Edition | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Thick and Thin" | Paul Klein • Jacob Goss • Alexandra Yatchenko • Nolan Lambroza | LANY • Mike Crossey | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Taking Me Back" | Klein • James Abrahart • Aaron Zuckerman | LANY • Crossey | 3:14 |
| 3. | "If You See Her" | Klein • Emily Schwartz • David Pramik | LANY • Crossey • Malay | 3:02 |
| 4. | "I Don't Wanna Love You Anymore" | Klein • Goss • Yatchenko • Henry Allen | LANY • Crossey • King Henry | 3:21 |
| 5. | "Let Me Know" | Klein • Samuel G. Lewis | LANY • Crossey • SG Lewis | 4:36 |
| 6. | "Run" | Klein • Yatchenko • Allen | LANY • Crossey • King Henry | 3:48 |
| 7. | "Valentine's Day" | Klein • Goss • Les Priest | LANY • Crossey | 3:37 |
| 8. | "Thru These Tears" | Klein • Goss • Yatchenko • Allen | LANY • Crossey • King Henry | 3:24 |
| 9. | "Malibu Nights" | Klein • Tobias Jesso Jr. | LANY • Crossey | 4:46 |