mama's boy

LANY's third album, mama's boy, is a chance for vocalist Paul Klein to reconcile with his family, his upbringing, and past demons. And even though the record was written and recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles, it's the middle of the country—Tulsa, Oklahoma, to be exact—that draws the most inspiration. The sprawling ballad "you!" opens with an undying appreciation for the trio's past and present, while the tender "cowboy in LA" bridges modern Americana with the band's indie-pop sound. Songs like "paper," an airy soft-pop number, and the electro-tinged slow burn of "sad" explore the complicated nature of romantic relationships. But Klein wanted to tap into a vulnerability that reached beyond that drama, instead taking an introspective look into his personal relationships with his faith ("i still talk to jesus" soars with church-choir-backed soul) and his family (the gentle acoustic of "if this is the last time" serves as a love letter to his parents).