NEWSFEED.ID, Jakarta — The name LANY (Los Angeles New York) is no stranger to pop music listeners, especially the younger generation. This pop band from Los Angeles, United States, was formed in 2014 and is known for songs about love, loss, longing, and personal emotions. LANY consists of Paul Jason Klein (vocals), Jake Goss (drums), and Les Priest (keyboard). With soft pop arrangements and simple lyrics, LANY has managed to build a strong emotional connection with its listeners, especially young people.
Amidst a music industry filled with complex lyrics and grandiose productions, LANY stands out with its relatable language as if speaking directly to its listeners. This is what makes many young people feel “represented” when listening to their songs.
Lyrics that Feel Close to Everyday Life
One of LANY’s main strengths lies in their choice of language. LANY’s lyrics rarely sound overly poetic, but that’s what makes them feel honest. The language used is similar to everyday conversation: simple, straightforward, and emotional.
The words chosen do not try to sound complicated or extremely metaphorical. Instead, LANY conveys emotion through easily understandable sentences, so listeners don’t have to interpret meanings that are too far-fetched. Listeners immediately feel connected because the language used feels familiar and realistic.
Several verses from LANY’s popular songs demonstrate this. In ILYSB, for example, there is a very direct confession of feelings, such as:
“Ain’t nobody gonna love you like I do.” This short sentence does not use complicated metaphors, but it is able to convey intense love and possessiveness.
In the song Malibu Nights, LANY describes heartbreak and loneliness with reflective expressions, one of which is: “I’m still numb and I don’t feel a thing.”
These lyrics show how LANY uses simple sentences to convey deep emotions. Listeners don’t need to interpret the meaning too deeply the feelings conveyed feel immediate and human.
The Language of Emotion and Vulnerability Among Young People
Today’s young people live amid social pressures, expectations, and uncertainty. LANY’s songs often capture the feelings of doubt, loss, hope, and emotional vulnerability experienced by many young people.
Through simple language, LANY expresses feelings that are often difficult to express directly. The lyrics give listeners space to acknowledge their own feelings that feeling sad, confused, or not okay is human. In this context, the language in LANY’s songs serves not only as a means of communication, but also as a medium for empathy.
Pop Music as Modern Literature
If literature is understood as an expression of human experience through language, then song lyrics can be read as a form of modern literature. LANY’s songs present short narratives about love, heartbreak, and the search for meaning in life.
Through a simple structure, LANY presents stories that can be read and felt. Listeners not only enjoy the music, but also build an emotional connection with the lyrics. This is what makes LANY’s songs relevant for discussion in literary and linguistic studies.
Identity, Language, and Sense of Belonging
For many young people, listening to LANY is not just about music, but also about identity. The language in their lyrics reflects how the younger generation understands love and relationships in the modern era honest, fragile, and reflective. When listeners feel that a song describes their personal experiences, a sense of belonging is created. Language becomes a bridge between individual experiences and the collective experiences of a generation.
Why LANY is Relevant Today
In the age of social media and rapid communication, language is often condensed and simplified. LANY shows that simple language does not mean shallow. It is precisely through simplicity that emotions can be conveyed more powerfully.
LANY’s songs remind us that language has the power to connect people with their own feelings. For the younger generation, finding themselves in song lyrics is a form of emotional validation that their feelings are heard and understood. Through its lyrics, LANY not only creates songs, but also a space for young people to reflect and understand themselves.
Writer: Fairisya Nur Rahmah
