Ari Staprans Leff, more commonly known as Lauv, released his debut studio album  “~how i’m feeling~” on March 6. At the young age of 25, Lauv has slowly been making a name for himself in mainstream music. 

Lauv broke out with “I Like Me Better,” which peaked at 27th on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017 and collaborations with prominent artists like Julia Michaels, Anne-Marie and BTS.

“~how i’m feeling~” provides a look into the struggles that Lauv dealt with over the past two years as he gained more and more media attention. According to his interview on the Zach Sang Show, this new-found fame made it difficult for him, as someone who simply loves music, to understand the business element of the process and figure out the ideal times to release music.

Despite already releasing “I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist),” a compilation of his previously created work which reached number 50 on the Billboard Hot 200, the singer described himself as unprepared for the mainstream stage. 

In an interview with Billboard, Lauv recalled how he began to lose sight of what he was trying to accomplish and his love for creating music. These emotions are reflected by the varying experimental styles that shift away from up-tempo stereotypical pop songs that made him popular and focus more on soulful singing and unique instrumental backing. 

The 21-song discography varies from Latino-styled songs like “El Tejano (feat. Sofia Reyes),” which focuses on meeting a girl and quickly becoming enamored, to “Julia,” which is speculated to be dedicated to his ex-girlfriend Julia Michaels and their relationship. 

Lauv has been able to create a niche for himself within the music industry through his natural vocal talent that stands out regardless of the background sounds. 

One of the most prominent features of Lauv songs is a simplistic beat to start, such as “Drugs and Internet,” and filler words that display his ability to reach the upper voice register. This usage of head voice, especially within “Modern Loneliness,” can impressively be seen in live performances such as on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

While the album has yet to reach much mainstream attention on the charts, with only “i’m so tired,” a collaboration with Troye Sivan, charting on the Billboard Hot 100, the artist has developed a large and loyal fanbase, especially in Irvine. 

“I really like the way [Lauv] weaves his lyrics together, in a way where it works musically, but it also tells a good story from his own life at the same time, which relates to everyone,” junior Isaac Yang said.