LAU - Digital Dream
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
LAU’s Digital Dream is a dynamic retrowave exploration of intense emotion, expressed through the artist's gripping vocal performances, interwoven synthesizers, dynamic guitar segments and well-thought-out lyrics. I enjoy the '80s energy that pours from this album and the emotional roller coaster it carries me on. This is music for both the head and the heart which holds a strong appeal for me.
Each time I review one of LAU’s albums, I am reinvigorated by her vocal performances and Digital Dream is no exception. LAU has a gut-punching voice that reaches out and delivers emotion with pure expression. The way she captures feelings ranging from heartache to passion and mainlines them into my soul is superb, drawing me closer to the themes she explores in her lyrics.
Another stellar feature of Digital Dream is the songwriting. LAU crafts lyrics with emotional vulnerability and intensity, exploring themes of love, longing, uncertainty and heartbreak. Her words delve into deeply personal and intense feelings without pulling any punches. I appreciate that LAU isn’t afraid to traverse deeper emotional terrain in her songs, while also writing music that is playful and full of joy.
The way melody, harmony and low-end strength mingle with a plethora of ear-catching synthesizer sounds makes Digital Dream a musical journey worth taking. The melodies she creates are memorable and emotive, while rich harmonies add depth and powerful percussion and bass shape the music. It also doesn’t hurt that the album is brimming with fantastic retro ’80s sounds.
I also want to highlight the guest artists on this album. Their contributions add depth and weight to the music, giving it polish, precision, and atmosphere. Together, LAU and her guest contributors weave a sonic tapestry that’s difficult to put down.
My Favourite Songs Analyzed
“Laser Eyes” begins as colossal bass moves in a muscled flow as bright notes jump. LAU’s unmistakable voice captures desire and nervousness as the pulsing drums and bass move along with flickering, radiant synth.
The drums and bass form a powerful pulse as LAU’s voice leaps with intense expression and a refulgent synth carries a melody mixing need and passion as it illuminates the track. I find the mysterious quality in LAU’s voice compelling as it carries the flashing melody.
The low end has a forceful drive as the chorus rings out and a brilliant synth flies through the music with incandescent energy. The song moves into a segment in which a luscious, interlocking synth flickers in a smooth flow. LAU’s voice caresses my ears as a glimmering synth cascades. AKRAS’ synth solo rises, capturing encouragement in a dynamic arc before the song ends
The narrator talks about the song’s subject glowing in the dark so she can see them clearly. She says that they could “take down planets with a look." The other person is looking so cute that she could die but she's also scared because “you make me so weak.” She goes on to say that she sees them across a smoky room and they are "attractive and magnetic like perfume."
Our storyteller says that the song's subject has “laser eyes” as she asks them to give her something to see. She wants the other person to stay the night because she's been "running for so long” as she falls into those laser eyes.
The narrator points out that this is the second time the song's subject is “travelling into my space and time." She goes on to say that the other person has her now.
She continues by saying that “you give me just one look and I am doomed.” She has no regrets “even though you burn me " but she's trying to forget about their connection and failing to do so.
Powerful but gentle synth swells and expansive notes commence “The Strangest Thing”. The drums launch into a rushing beat and LAU’s voice bursts out with dynamic energy as a synth leaps with glimmering light. Hollow drums throb and the punching low end presses on while LAU’s vocals jump out with engaging energy. The wide-sounding synth is cut by glittering chimes.
The rushing low end trips as LAU’s warm voice skillfully captures the emotions within the lyrics. The synth fills the music with radiance and a caressing feeling as the chimes sparkle. The vocals quickly run through the music, exploding with heartfelt emotion. The synth continues to move in scintillating pulses as LAU’s vocals encapsulate the song’s feelings.
A bending, rapidly dancing synth pours intense shine into the track as broad chords fill the background with strength. The pumping low end drives on and the song comes to an end on the touching vocals and bright chimes.
Our storyteller describes the song’s subject as “dancing through the pain” while waving goodbye to nearly everything. Meanwhile, the other person is “lost in the rhythm, heart is pounding” as they lie in shattered pieces, their thoughts “colliding in symphony.” The narrator reflects that the other person now second-guesses every love song.
The narrator emphasizes that it was the oddest thing the song’s subject has ever experienced, saying it was “like a dream she put you under.” Now, remnants of the past flood the listener's mind like “hypnotic healing thunder.” The storyteller adds that the other person will never be the same.
For the song’s subject, the narrator states that it will be “another day, another night, another stranger sleeping in your bed.” She questions why the other person now wonders why they can’t recognize themselves and why they “cannot stand any love songs.”
"Alive" starts with calming synth tones that exude a serene, blue-hued atmosphere, trembling softly as a luscious bassline flows underneath. The drums join in, propelling the song with a smooth heartbeat. LAU’s caressing voice drifts out, enveloping the listener in a tender embrace. Her expressive delivery captures the emotional essence of the lyrics, resonating deeply.
Towering, illuminating synths flash brightly, complementing the steady drum pulse and throbbing bass. LAU’s vocals soar with a hopeful melody, while a synth pours a lustrous glow into the soundscape. Broad, shining notes fill the background as the low end pulsates steadily. The vocals dance gracefully through the music, carrying the yearning melody. LAU’s voice weaves through the shimmering backdrop as the drums and bass maintain their rhythm. The melody swells with uplifting, encouraging energy before the song gently concludes.
The narrator tells the song's subject that they don’t understand what she’s been feeling and that everything now carries a new meaning. She implores them to just be hers and adds “can’t you tell I’m going nowhere?” She hopes the other person is thinking of her at that moment.
Our storyteller asks the other person to “hear the stars collide” as they ride into the night together. She feels alive now, describing the sensation as special. “Fireworks tonight, neon lights shine bright,” she says, making her feel alive again.
As she falls deeply, she notes, “I hear your breathing getting closer by the minute” and she pleads with the other person to be hers once more. She wonders if it’s real or if she’s dreaming, as “with each heartbeat, I’m revealing my real side.”
Intimidating bass swells in along with lucid synth and strongly pulsing drum to open “The Storm”. LAU’s voice has a silken, deeply affecting quality as it carries a melody full of gentle affection.
Metallic notes flash as the drums and bass burst before LAU’s voice dances out with a touching feeling as the synth swirls. A worshipful chorus moves in the distance as LAU’s voice reaches out to touch my heart. The melody trembles with loving expression and metallic notes flash out with dazzling power.
The chorus climbs with the vocals, deeply felt and full of passion, as the guitar moves through. The bass throbs and LAU’s voice is full of caring as the drums continue to burst and the guitar solos with intensely heartfelt emotion before the song ends.
Our storyteller says she and her friends have been with each other for a very long time. They are "the perfect match; we go way back." The years pass by, and as they age, they "know each other inside out."
The narrator can't imagine living without her friends who are always there when she's in trouble. She's excited to make new memories with them because "you are everything to me and more; you are gold." If a storm comes up, they weather it together.
Our storyteller says that "when the ocean’s rough, I'll hold your hand" because she will always love her friends. She adds that "even when there's nothing," she can close her eyes and they are beside her.
Now, the narrator points out that they've been through a lot together as friends and "you saved my life and I saved yours." She adds that there have been many others in their lives, but their friendship has always been there. She goes on to say that when there's nothing else, "I just close my eyes and you’re my paradise."
“Damaged" comes to life with a massively throbbing bassline paired with a delicately shimmering synth that twirls above it. The bass undulates, while soft chords slip into the mix. LAU’s gutsy, deeply emotive vocals enter, supported by a steady, guiding drumbeat. The lithe synth entangles with affectionate light, rippling alongside smoothly floating lines. High notes carry a dancing melody tinged with melancholy, reflecting the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Fulvio Colasanto’s guitar glides in with a smooth, easygoing quality, merging seamlessly with the throbbing drums and bass. LAU’s voice bursts with raw emotion and a longing for a brighter future. A chiming melody glimmers, adding sparkle, while the guitar continues to flow through the track with a velvety touch. LAU’s vocal performance captivates, filled with loving emotion, as the undulating bassline propels the track forward.
The scintillating melody radiates passion, while Fulvio Colasanto’s guitar cries out with an expressive, heartfelt tune. Silken synths glitter and skip past like fleeting moments and the chimes resonate with crystalline purity, singing out beautifully. The track drives powerfully to its conclusion, leaving a lingering sense of longing and emotional intensity.
The narrator says that she can’t give the song’s subject what they came searching for. She adds “my heart’s a little damaged, so I can’t give you more.” Perhaps after some time passes, she can open up again. She goes on to say, “maybe we’ll meet down the line, and you will comprehend” that she was terrified because loving the other person wasn’t in her plans. She adds, “I didn’t wanna disintegrate into your arms.”
Our storyteller asks,“So what if life divides us? So what if it’s the end?” because the song’s subject wasn’t afraid to show her how deeply they had really fallen for her. She repeats that she was scared to death and that loving the other person wasn’t in her plans. She elaborates, “I really couldn’t reciprocate your one-time love.”
She reflects, “Empty rooms and superficial hours fade away in memories we once had.” She concludes that it was everything, and it was theirs—but now, nothing will come back.
A smoothly popping disco beat moves with vivid synth intertwining in silky lines to start “Physical Attraction”. Now the drums and bass launch earnestly as LAU's voice captures the passion and desire within the lyrics. The funky bass line rides along with the drums and LAU's expressive vocals.
A tightly wound synth wriggles its way through the track as LAU pours out emotion and need. The lead synth shimmies through a melody as it jumps for joy and the groovy low end propels the track. LAU's vocals catch the disco vibes in the music, exploding with lively energy as a funky guitar solo spins through. The drums flourish, and the chorus forms hip-shaking grooves that make me want to move.
LAU creates an engaging atmosphere with her vocal performance, and the slap bass brings the cool factor. A raised, nasal-sounding synth calls out in a drifting melodic line before the low end locks in again, and the track dances on. The music ends with the chorus unfurling in impassioned motion, and the low end pushing forward.
Our storyteller says that the song's subject catches her eye in a crowded room but walks on by. She says, "I can feel the tension, I can sense your heartbeat," but the other person is scared to step out of the shadows, and she wonders why.
The narrator tells the song's subject that they should "seize the moment, leave fear behind." She knows they can do it and tells them not to hesitate because "the time is now." They've got a strong physical attraction that isn't merely distracting. She says that they have a connection and "we're the spark and the reaction."
Our storyteller talks about their attraction to one another being "gravitational, a groove of satisfaction." She says that the song's subject is like an undeniable missing piece. She adds, "we fit like a glove," and asks for the other person's number. She wants to catch up with them the next day, "maybe sober up and go for a drive," since she just wants to see them.
Now the narrator says that they should "hold this moment, forget the world" without any more hesitation because now is the time for them.
*High and Low* begins with an urgently trembling synth as LAU's dynamic and soaring voice carries the poppy melody with an easy flow. The broad bass throbs as the drums tick rapidly and then flourish. Hand claps echo as LAU's joyful voice powers forth energetically, while the synth flicks out playful, dancing lines, and the low end bursts.
LAU's vocals create pure enjoyment as they carry the uplifting melody, and hand claps come in again. The lead synth fills my ears with happiness and shining life as it swirls upwards. Once again, LAU captures the mood of the music perfectly and conveys it to me with charming expression.
Now her muffled voice chants as smoothly intertwining, misty synths are cut by sparkling notes, and the hand claps return. The song has a superb retro feeling as it skips through the verses and explodes exuberantly before coming to an end.
The narrator talks about a clock ticking as she holds her phone in hand, surrounded by empty space. She says she’s "figuring out the science of love." Now she stands waiting for a sign because the other person said yes at first, but it’s been a while and she can’t hide her feelings.
Our storyteller reveals that she was running on automatic. She "didn't mean to be dramatic, but my past is so traumatic," and now she feels "somatic" to the subject’s love. She adds that she’s dying when the other person makes her high before bringing her low.
The narrator isn’t sure whether they’re together or not. She hates it when the subject says they do and then they don’t. She finds herself having to "weigh in all my options if you call." As more time passes, she asks, "Are we just friends? Are we just what?" The uncertainty drives her crazy.
Our storyteller wonders if she should wait or run. She concludes by saying, "Each day I miss you more and more, and I can’t fight it."
Conclusion
Digital Dream is another excellently executed album by LAU and her guests. it keeps all of the retro energy that I've come to enjoy from her work and gives it another layer of polish and musical quality. This is one of those albums that I could listen to over and over without ever getting tired of hearing it.
