Alan Lauris: Break
Alan Lauris Finds Beauty in the Breaking on Break
by Jack Rush
Originating from Utrecht, Netherlands, composer and pianist Alan Lauris recently published Break, a deeply personal and musically rich album. The product of nearly 30 years of song-writing, this third full-length effort delivers a compelling fusion of melodic song-writing, symphonic textures, and synth-pop elements, inspired by artists like Leonard Cohen, Pet Shop Boys, and Pink Floyd.
At its core, Break explores life’s defining ruptures — the heartbreak of ending relationships, the soul-searching of midlife crises, and the transformation that comes from self-discovery. Lauris captures these experiences with profound lyrical depth and musical craftsmanship, resulting in a record that is as emotionally resonant as it is sonically immersive.
Opening with the cinematic “I Dream of You in Black and White,” the album sets an introspective tone. Layered with piano and cello, the song paints a dreamlike longing that gradually evolves into a more vibrant hope: “I want to color you in,” Lauris pleads, transforming monochrome memories into something vivid and emotionally charged. That same emotional honesty permeates “The Pages Are Missing,” which rides on a Supertramp-like groove of synths and keys while reflecting on the elusive nature of past love.
The record’s emotional weight is bolstered by an impressive ensemble of collaborators. Lyricists Brian Lo SinSjoe, John Couhlan, and Annemarie van Harten help shape the album’s narrative threads, while musicians like Leo Sienot (guitars), Jan Pardon (bass), Joe Giddey (cello), and William Rowley (trumpet) add rich instrumental layers. These organic additions bring warmth and dynamism that elevate the album beyond the confines of traditional synth-pop.
“Parades” is a standout ballad that powerfully conveys the liberation of walking one’s own path. With its tender piano and soaring strings, it expresses a confident departure from societal expectations: “I unjoined the parades, on my own, unafraid.” Meanwhile, the title track, “Break,” encapsulates the album’s overarching theme. Haunting electric guitar and ominous piano build a brooding atmosphere as Lauris sings, “It can take a long time before things break,” chronicling emotional collapse and rebirth with poignant honesty.
What makes Break particularly unique is its long gestation and meticulous construction. Lauris spent decades developing these songs in his Utrecht studio, constantly revisiting and reshaping them. Final mixes were completed in Nick Trepka’s studio in Brighton, UK, and the album was mastered by the renowned Wessel Oltheten, ensuring a polished, immersive sound.
Despite its lengthy production timeline, Break never feels overworked. Instead, it presents as a unified and cohesive body of work, full of lived-in wisdom and artistic clarity. Whether you're drawn to synth-pop nostalgia, orchestral depth, or lyrical introspection, Break offers something substantial.
With Break, Alan Lauris doesn’t just revisit the past — he reclaims it, shapes it, and offers it as a mirror to listeners navigating their own turning points. It's a stirring and beautifully realized album that reaffirms Lauris' place as one of the more thoughtful and nuanced voices in modern adult pop.
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