LANY Are Ever-Evolving In ‘A Beautiful Blur’: “The Dream Started Getting Bigger”

Growing past their humble beginnings as a project on a Dell laptop, LANY have grown well past their previous limitations in production.

For the American indie-pop band, the release of A Beautiful Blur marks a defining chapter in their musical journey — a testament to their growth as a band and their desire to branch out. Their craft and heartfelt songwriting have breached cultures, and the duo have leaned into a more raw and refined sound, showcasing their indie-pop roots while experimenting with production techniques they could only dream of in their early days. Last October 12, they played for their biggest crowd to date at the grand venue of the Philippine Arena, Bulacan.

A big part of the band’s magic can be attributed to their relatable and genuine lyricism; members Paul Klein and Jake Goss believe just so. “We’ve always written from our own experiences,” said Klein. “That’s part of our DNA as a band. We put complicated emotions into understandable formats, and that’s something we feel called to do.” Jake added, “Even if I’m not much of a wordsmith, music hits me in the heart. Adding lyrics on top of the melodies we create together is like adding a magic touch.”

Their songwriting isn’t too complicated — even Klein himself noted that there’s no need to decode what they are saying, or to read between the lines. For that exact reason, their music holds power in connecting with global audiences. The pair don’t rely on cryptic storytelling, but rather, write about the general human experience, which rings true to their huge Filipino fanbase. Throughout their lengthy discography, their songs reach further heights than viral hits, but become resonant with their listeners’ lives from heartbreak moments to greatest victories.

Nevertheless, the duo saw a bigger potential in their latest album A Beautiful Blur. Working with Mike Rossi, who previously collaborated with them on their 2018 breakout album Malibu Nights, they shifted from their signature synth-pop sound to a fresh indie-rock leaning production. Paul Klein mentioned that up until 2018, the band let its limitations define its art. Looking beyond the popularity boom of their breakout album, they found that they had the potential to take their production to greater heights.

“We don’t ever want to make the same album twice,” Paul emphasized. “This album is influenced by a lot of things — both fresh and familiar. There’s music we grew up listening to, like The Joshua Tree by U2 and A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay, but also new, progressive works by artists like Fred Again.. and Lil Yachty. We wanted to marry both worlds.”

Fittingly so, these bodies of work served as inspiration or, in their words, “a moodboard,” for their latest album. Merging the old and the new, LANY drew inspiration from all spaces and listening. Klein pressed on the reminiscence of “Home Is Where The Hurt Is” with U2’s signature nostalgic rock.

With A Beautiful Blur, LANY continue to prove that their music, grounded in personal experience yet universal in its relatability, transcends boundaries. Whether performing for sold-out crowds or creating in the studio, their ability to connect with fans remains their most cherished gift. In fact, members of the duo themselves show no sign of stopping. Seeing their platform as the opportunity of a lifetime, their will has evolved to dream even bigger.

Listen to A Beautiful Blur here: