Lauv talks new album and upcoming tour

By Tiara Starks

photo by Orion

Lauv, a multiplatinum and chart-topping singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, rose to stardom with viral sensations like his 2017 hit “I Like Me Better” featured on his 2018 mixtape, “I met you when I was 18,” and “i’m so tired...” from his 2020 album, “~how i’m feeling~.” Now, the 27-year-old hopes to wow listeners with his long-awaited album, “All 4 Nothing.”

Having been isolated from his fans for so long due to the pandemic, Lauv now can’t wait to jump back into performing.

“It’s been so long since I’ve toured and I have pretty much two new albums to play live, which is crazy because my last one came out right before everything shut down,” he said in a press conference. “I’m just overall super super gassed.”

His 13-track album debuted Aug. 5 via Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, just six days before his North American tour with Hayley Kiyoko.

The former NYU student skyrocketed to fame through electro-pop stylings with catchy hooks. Since starting his music career in 2015 with the release of “The Other,” Lauv has amassed over 11 billion streams. His lyrical storytellings of young love has touched the hearts of many. But, you don’t have to take his almost 20 million monthly Spotify listeners’ words for it. Numerous pop stars have noticed Lauv’s talent, resulting in the musician collaborating with artists such as Conan Gray, Troye Sivan, BTS, Daniel Skye, Charli XCX, The Backstreet Boys and Demi Lovato — just to name a few.

On top of working with major artists, accumulating billions of streams and becoming cozy on the Billboard Hot 100, Lauv has had songs featured on the big screen as well as performed live in stadiums alongside Ed Sheeran, and on television shows including “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!” and “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”

Despite being thrown into the spotlight and gaining popularity each day, Lauv succeeds in staying true to himself. Music has taught him “not to get lost in the sauce.”

Lauv remains grounded by following his “north star,” which he described as, “just being in the moment and expressing myself openly, and not getting lost in the thoughts around it (songwriting) and the judgements and the ideas, whatever. Just being fully here.”

What makes Lauv an ingenious songwriter is his ability to intertwine his struggles into his lyricism. He imparts his own emotions and sentiments on mental health while still connecting with his audience.

His latest work is no different. “All 4 Nothing” is Lauv’s most vulnerable album yet, processing his rapid rise to fame while connecting with fans.

“When I started this album, I was going through a big existential crisis, questioning everything I had and why I had it,” the artist wrote on Instagram. “I was also struggling a lot with self-confidence and wondering if I ever truly had that, where I lost it, etc. I heard that somewhere as kids we’re all born with this innate confidence and ability to be *stars* in whatever right that might be, but along the way it’s easy to lose that as the world beats it out of us, and a lot of us forget. So, I set out on a journey to find my confidence and where my ‘starpower’ came from.”

While creating “All 4 Nothing,” Lauv took time to reflect inward and re-ground himself. His journey of self-discovery and self-empowerment is evident through the rawness of songs like “Kids Are Born Stars,” “26” and the titular track “All 4 Nothing (I’m So In Love).” On Instagram, Lauv said he found himself through therapy and inner child meditation. Even now, he continues to prioritize connectedness with himself and his fans.

“One thing that I’ve started to do is try to do guided meditations and stuff...or even just come and hang out,” he shared in the press conference. “I don’t know if I should go live or go on Twitter Spaces or do what, but I love guiding meditations.”

“All 4 Nothing” marks the re-emergence of Lauv as well as the evolution of his sound. He is especially excited to perform live again on his upcoming tour because he felt as though he had lost touch with his fans during quarantine. Lauv is grateful to be able to share his matured sound in person.

“‘All 4 Nothing’ is sort of like coming out from all that loneliness,” he said. “It’s sort of like getting out of the woods and thinking, ‘Oh yeah, life. Happiness.’ All that. I think it was just natural for me.”

Lauv stands out as an artist who not only puts out head-bopping hits, but is also just looking for connection. From writing songs as a child in his bedroom to now working with iconic names in the music industry, the San-Francisco born, Philadelphia-bred singer-songwriter seems to have it all — but really, he’s just getting started.

“The next album is going to be the best one yet,” he teased.

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