The American indie-pop band Lany released their long-awaited album “Mama’s Boy” on October 2nd. It is the third album for the band, consisting of members Paul Klein, Les Priest and Jake Goss. It debuted at #20 on the Billboard Albums Chart and is predicted to go into the Top 10 this week. It consists of 14 songs that all center around a Western cowboy theme.
This was an interesting theme for Lany, as their last two albums centered around moving to Hollywood, love and breakups. This album was a tribute to growing up and the state of Oklahoma, where lead singer Paul grew up. It seems to be very early Taylor-Swift inspired with many ballads. It is a lot less theatrical and upbeat than their previous albums and strips back to show the rawness of Paul’s vocals. It is very nostalgic for growing up and makes you reflect on your childhood. This album gives me a warm and heartfelt feeling of looking back on memories. It’s like watching an old home video but through music.
My favorite song on this album is called “You.” Singer Paul Klein described it as “a love song without describing physical attributes.” I thought that was really powerful. I really love the vibe of the song, and it is perfect for driving with the windows down. Another song I love is “If This Is the Last Time.” It is a thank you to parents, and it makes me emotional while listening to it. Quarantine made me feel really close to my parents again and that song reminds me that I was lucky to be able to spend time with my family during that time.
This album is a celebration of freedom, a reflection on growing up and a homage to youth. While it could never compete with my favorite album of theirs, “Malibu Nights,” it is a fun diversion into a new theme. Lany is very special to me, and it’s cool to see them start to become more and more famous as time goes on. I would give this album a ⅘ stars.