Lauv’s “I met you when I was 18.” is Not An Album, It’s a Masterpiece
In his listening party livestream, Lauv says, “I met you when I was 18. is a collection of songs, a story. about moving to new york city when i was 18 and falling in love for the first time. a story about trying to figure out your own identity whilst being deeply intertwined with someone else’s.” This collection of work is not just an album, it’s a masterpiece.
Ever since the release of “The Other” in 2015, Lauv has released a number of songs from the collection. The first song in the collection, “I Like Me Better” was on Billboard’s Hot 100, and has six Platinum certifications from countries around the world.
i met you when i was 18 starts with a lighthearted and refreshing tune, “I Like Me Better.” (Also, the music video for this track is so cute. I definitely recommend checking it out here.) The second song on the album, “Paris in the Rain” is one of my favourites. It is jazzy and nostalgic. Lauv combines a playful high-hat rhythms and snaps with a beautifully written bass line that makes the song so magical.
Throughout the album, you can see his style really shining through. His use of layered vocals in different octaves showcases his brilliant vocals very well. He also records vocals that move in parallel motion to create a cascade of rich chords and harmonies. Additionally, he loves using washes of sound. In almost all of his songs, he uses a warm synth in the background. His skilled manipulations of electronic pop music is extremely unique and powerful.
One of my favourite songs in the album is his piano ballad, “The Story Never Ends.” The lyrics are so emotional and relatable, especially the line “Wound me like a toy spinning too fast in every direction.” Lauv often jokes about being a hopeless romance. But his songs reflect very deep feelings and it is the perfect album to listen to when you’re feeling down.
The album finishes with another ballad that concludes the collection of songs very well. From the first chord, you can tell that, “Never Not” it is a farewell. He sings, “For as long as I live, as long as I love, I will never not forget you.” The song is the perfect ending to the collection of songs that clearly reflected his deepest thoughts and feelings. I have a lot of respect for this album as it is so personal, yet so many people can relate to this feeling of love and heartbreak. Lauv is an incredible songwriter and I’m excited to see what he does next.
Listen to Lauv’s new album, i met you when i was 18, here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7lqieLm717j9Z8JrG7POkS?si=A5X1q1uRS3Kc0Wvz6hPpGQ
