Lane 8 has returned with Childish, an album that embraces the beauty of instinctive creation and playful spontaneity.
Inspired by his experiences as a father, the album is a deeply personal yet universally resonant record. It’s a sonic exploration of rediscovering joy, breaking free from expectation and leaning into the instincts that make music feel alive.
At the heart of Childish is a message of embracing freedom, creating for the love of the process and trusting the intuition that guides us.
Caro Chang/EDM.com
Lane 8 taps into this sense of liberation from the album’s outset. Its opener, the titular “Childish,” is a lush introduction layered with airy synths, inviting us to leave behind constraints and enter a world of pure, unfiltered creativity. This playful ethos is embedded throughout the entire album, but it’s also balanced by moments of profound introspection.
On “The Choice,” Lane 8 reunites with Arctic Lake, whose ethereal vocals once again elevate his signature deep house sound. The track unfolds like a quiet meditation as Arctic Lake’s haunting voice lingers over deep, ruminative melodies, creating a sense of longing and reflection that contrasts with the album’s lighter moments. Later, the duo returns on “Say The Word,” another beautifully introspective piece.
Lane 8 doesn’t just rest on familiar terrain, though. In “You,” a synthwave-infused collaboration with Kasablanca, he takes his sound into uncharted territories. Bursting with driving basslines and retro-tinged synths, the track is a cathartic highlight that radiates passion.
But it’s in the album’s closing track, “Quiet Rush,” where Lane 8 brings its message to its most blissful conclusion. A collaboration with Sultan + Shepard, it’s an uplifting anthem that radiates warmth and closure with cascading melodies that wash over like a wave of calm, leaving behind a sense of contentment. It’s the perfect resolution to an album that explores the highs and lows of the creative process, reminding us to trust our instincts and find joy in the moment.
Childish is out now via Lane 8’s own record label, This Never Happened. Listen to the new album below and find it on streaming services here.
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