PLAYLIST REVIEW: I Met You When I Was 18 - Lauv

I recently discovered a new artist, Lauv. I first heard his music while watching Gabriel Conte's travel diary/music video featuring his wife Jess Conte titled "I Like Me Better With You // New York 2017." 

Without any further ado, here is my  track-by-track review of Lauv's playlist : I Met You When I Was 18.

I Like Me Better  - The first track is a fast-paced song with an upbeat tempo. Mainly composed of electric guitars, drums, and a bit of piano, it's a great opening song for the playlist. In an interview, Lauv explains that the song was inspired by a relationship he had two months after moving to New York City. 

Paris in the Rain - The second track of the playlist is a ballad which gives off the vibe of an opening scene in a movie. It evokes an image of a panoramic view of a setting which introduces the main character and their story.

Comfortable - The third track tells a story about fighting for love, for someone to stay in your life because they mean the world to you - and not because you're comfortable and passive in the relationship. The chorus is catchy, and hits close to home - "Do you want it bad? Or are you just comfortable?"

The Other  - The fourth track narrates the aftermath of a breakup. It shows the progression (and the toll it takes) of someone's mental state after said event. My favorite lines from the song are "when there's nothing quite wrong, but it don't feel right, either your head or your heart, you set the other on fire." This track showcases Lauv's fantastic song-writing abilities, with lyrics that create vivid mental images that stay in one's mind long after the track has finished.

Reforget - The fifth track is proof of Lauv's soulful voice. It is (in my opinion), the companion to the previous track, "The Other". My favorite line in this song is "I never thought a sunrise could burn more than a midnight without you."

The Story Never Ends - Blame and unspoken words can wreak havoc and slowly but surely destroy any relationship. My favorite lines are: "I swallow my words down to the bone, 'cause nothing's that simple." ,"Twist my words and set them to flame." and "How could I stay when you lit a match to all my intentions?"

Come Back Home - "Always remember where you came from." This track shows that your home (whether it be a physical place or family - blood related or not) shapes your world view, thoughts, and who you are as a person.

Question (ft. Travis Mills) - Mistrust and doubts can sow seeds of destruction in any relationship. In a new relationship, individuals often carry emotional baggage from previous relationships with them. Lauv urges his new partner to give him a chance, as he is trying "to do right by (her)." He also reassures her that he will always stand by her.

Easy Love  - "Nothing worth having comes easy." If you want someone in your life, you have to fight for them, despite all obstacles ahead. Lauv promises that although it's easy to cut corners, he'd rather have someone he would be willing to fight for everyday. 

Adrenaline - The penultimate track to this playlist is filled with bursts of energy, recounting the highs and lows of a relationship. The trumpets add a nice jazz -y punch as well. 

Breathe - The final track is about having loved someone while picking up the pieces and moving on. The one line that stands out is "I've seen your soul grow just like a rose, made it through all of those thorns." It speaks volumes about genuinely caring for someone - even if you don't love this person anymore, you're still proud of who they've become and who they will continue to be.

UPDATE: Lauv added 4 new songs to the playlist, I Met You When I Was 18. The five tracks which were added are : Chasing Fire, Bracelet, Getting Over You, and Never Not.

Chasing Fire : This track starts off slow, closely resembling an a capella. However, the drums and beat kicks in once we get to the chorus.The second verse and the bridge follow the same format as the first verse, which builds up anticipation for the catchy chorus.

Bracelet: When a relationship ends, both parties are left with memories, pictures, and in this case - a bracelet. The first verse starts off slow, where he reminisces about his previous relationship. His resolve is that he will continue to wear the bracelet until he learns to move on, until "he doesn't need [her]."

Getting Over You -  This track was released on Valentine's Day, as a companion to the broken-hearted. The deliberate irony of its release is what makes this track one of my favorites. Further, the addition of the electric guitar in the second verse adds a punch to this otherwise sorrowful song.

Never Not - The final track is a beautiful ballad. It narrates the story of a love that changed one's life. Lauv vows "for as long as I live, I will never not think about you." This track proves that a person can have a profound effect on someone's life - for better or worse.  

Here is the video that started it all - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v86r22gGvRA