'A6' by Lights: A Journey Through Synth-Pop, Self-Discovery, and Raw Emotion

Review by Camille Germain

Lights 'A6' out via Virgin May 2, 2025

Lights has done it again with her latest album, A6, released three years after her iconic PEP. This thoughtful yet fun project offers an emotional journey centered on loving yourself unapologetically amidst heartbreak, life lessons, personal struggles, and growth. A6 serves as both a confession and a celebration of self-discovery. Produced independently by Lights, it combines a polished sound with raw authenticity, taking the DIY approach to a new level.

This album is a cohesive collection of songs that can both stand alone and work together to weave a narrative of confessions. It resembles a symposium of journal entries convening to discuss the outcomes of Lights’ experiences. It features a steady flow of rhythmic changes, occasionally grouping a few slower tracks together to provide contrast to the upbeat ones. This structure allows listeners to engage with the current of each piece. It reflects the ups and downs of our lives; some days we ride high, while others we struggle, barely escaping a riptide that can be our own minds sabotaging us.

She begins the album with a brief intro featuring ambient sounds recorded in Berlin, alongside a cab driver telling her, “Music is your gift.” Then, she introduces her sixth album, accompanied by a whimsical xylophone jingle, and says, “Welcome to A6.” Without hesitation, she transitions into “DAMAGE,” the first single released from this album. Filled with lyrics like I-I swear this isn't me / This is the damage talking and I better not get out of hand / 'Cause nobody likes a crazy bitch mixed with the 80s synth-pop vibes and layered with dreamy reverb (reminiscent of The Cure), it clashes against the melancholy feeling of the song’s theme. We’re damaged, but we’ll be fine.

She follows up “DAMAGE” with the refreshingly relatable “ALIVE AGAIN,” maintaining a lively synth-pop sound.This track is one of the top hits of the album. As a true Lights staple, it features pristine synths matched with minimalist instrumentation, smoothly blending her pop sound with emotional depth. It emphasizes the existential dilemma of what it means to truly feel alive instead of merely existing. The song explores this feeling directly; the answer lies in the pursuit of authenticity and the journey itself.

In “SURFACE TENSION,” the album’s anxious undercurrent intensifies, with chugging bass and heavy drums driving a darker soundscape. The track’s brooding synths create an unease until the bridge, where Lights’ shift to German lyrics adds an unexpectedly hypnotic layer. Following this darkness, she slows things down with a more introspective middle section during her next few songs, conveying the emotional fluctuations that occur throughout our lives. Tracks like “YOU’RE KILLING ME,” “WHITE PAPER PALM TREES,” and “GHOST GIRL ON FIRST” exemplify this shift in tone.

In this middle section, "YOU'RE KILLING ME" has a delicate and atmospheric sound that creates a haunting backdrop for Lights' experience with the end of a relationship as she sings, You know/Time and time again, I've tried to say/I'll forget your memory/Still, I only ever see you walk away/It's killing me, you're killing me. The emotional fatigue is projected throughout this song by the minimalist style of instrumentation, allowing her vocals to echo out and showcasing the vulnerability.

"WHITE PAPER PALM TREES" arrives as a welcome contrast from the previous few songs. It is an upbeat track that cleverly references "February Air" from Lights' first EP. The song showcases skilled vocal dynamics, opening with an ethereal head voice before building to a powerful belt that ignites the chorus. The hypnotic beat creates a slow burn that amplifies this transformation, making each repetition of the title more impactful than the last.

Continuing on the theme of dying relationships, "GHOST GIRL ON FIRST" explores the difficult feelings from being ghosted, carried with moody guitar packed with reverb to enhance the pain of never knowing. Lights’ vocals, once again, add to the melancholy and transform the heartbreak into a goodbye.

The album's heavy introspection lifts with "TAKE IT EASY," where a steady tempo is paired with relaxed vocals that echo amidst a simplified backdrop of sound. There is a sense of tenderness in the leveled aspect of this understated, almost effortless track. The slow build leads into more of a bop with "DRINKS ON THE COAST," where Lights remains steady but uplifted into more of a dream-pop sound. It is a shiny yet laid-back journey through the catchy chorus that adds to a centered idea of self-reflection. There is an acceptance in the gentle chaos.

"CLINGY" revitalizes the album with an electrifying mix of syncopated guitar riffs and booming bass. In this danceable, anthemic jam, Lights showcases a grittier guitar layered with synths that is then elevated by the funky bass line. It's a vulnerable yet carefree track that builds on itself to keep the listener hooked and moving.

On "THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR," Lights showcases a whole new side of her voice, managing to sound both comforting and haunting simultaneously. The track is layered in both sound and concept. In the quiet moments, you feel the shadow of someone no longer in your life. There will always be a hint of affection despite their absence. Heartbroken yet still living, this vibe flows right into "PIRANHA," where her amplified and clear vocals cut through the ambient, raw noise of the track, creating a darker vibe that's gritty while remaining euphoric.

The album closes with "DAY TWO," a thoughtful conclusion that wraps the cathartic journey in a sound filled with atmospheric introspection. It features gentle instrumentation that culminates in an emotional calm, reinforcing the themes of the album. It serves as a serene yet poignant acceptance. It conveys that she has found some closure, yet this journey will remain with her. It's a bittersweet and vulnerable farewell and greeting to herself.

A6 is an intoxicating journey through Lights' personal experiences, a journal of heartbreak, loss, self-exploration, and overall growth. It takes listeners through a triumphant yet heartbroken exploration. This synth-pop album pushes the boundaries of genre and rides high on danceable tracks while bringing introspection to the forefront in steadier and more solemn parts. Lights is always creating worlds and never fails to make masterpieces. As one of her most vulnerable works, this collection is unapologetically raw and complex. She gives her listeners a chance to embrace themselves as they are and reminds us that the ups and downs of our lives are important. Go feel alive again.