NAME:
Milow
ABOUT
Lean Into Me (2019)
A record assumes the role of a friend. You turn towards it in times of introspection and celebration alike. Songs console, comfort, and confer confidence. When necessary, they double as a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. A heightened sense of empathy defines the music of Milow. His sixth full-length, Lean Into Me [Homerun Records], extends a familial embrace as it shares relatable recollections with the candor of a late-night conversation among the closest of friends.
“The name Lean Into Me comes from the idea we should lean on each other’s shoulders and show we can help one another,” explains Milow. “Friendship is so important to me. I try to maintain those relationships even though it does get harder when you get older. This theme runs through the entire tracklisting. It’s really personal.”
The critically acclaimed award-winning Belgian singer-and-songwriter’s ability to translate personal subjects into universal anthems transformed him into an international phenomenon. Amassing nearly 200 million global streams by 2019, winning 12 Music Industry Awards in Belgium, and selling out shows worldwide, he first made waves with his 2009 self-titled European debut, Milow. Garnering gold and platinum certifications across Europe, its total sales exceeded 500,000. Meanwhile, a Time Magazine-approved acoustic cover of “Ayo Technology” by 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake exploded with 69 million Spotify streams and 64 million YouTube views. In the aftermath, his discography would grow to encompass North and South [2011] and Silver Linings [2014]. 2016 saw him reach new creative heights on Modern Heart. Boasting production and co-writing by heavy-hitters such as Brian Kennedy [Rihanna, Chris Brown] and James Fauntleroy [Frank Ocean, Bruno Mars], it continued his creative progression. Among a tracklisting of fan favorites, “Howling at the Moon” clocked over 35 million Spotify streams and counting.
Along the way, he dove into cultivating what would become Lean Into Me. Pairing the 21st century production of Modern Heart with a heartfelt folk core, he sharpened his signature style. Fittingly, he invited two of his best buddies to record in Los Angeles. Longtime collaborator and live guitarist Tom Vanstiphout and producer Jo Francken hopped the pond from Belgium and holed up at Milow’s Venice home—a twenty-minute bike ride from 4th Street Recording in Santa Monica where the bulk of the music came to life.
The trio lived together, cruised to the studio together, and crafted songs together. “The theme was a self-fulfilling prophecy, because I was literally making this with my friends,” Milow remarks. “On the last record, I began incorporating production from the beginning of the process. I was hungry for something new. This time, I allowed myself to look back, think about the main themes I’ve written about, the reasons I picked up a guitar in the first place, and what I’ve learned since my first album ten years ago. The album is the most representative of who I am and who I’ve been since moving to Los Angeles seven years ago.” Teaming up with another friend, he preceded Lean Into Me with “Lay Your Worry Down” featuring Matt Simons in 2018. Over vibrant acoustic guitar, finger-snaps, and sun-kissed harmonies, the duet assures, “You don’t need to be alone with your sorrows, you can share them with us—we’ll help you carry them,” he explains. Meanwhile, the 2019 single “Help” pairs a solemn riff with lush strings and piano before a vulnerable confession. “It’s so easy to say, ‘I’m fine’,” he elaborates. “You have to teach yourself and learn it’s okay to ask for help once in a while.”
“Michael Jordan” opens up back in Milow’s high school bedroom surrounded by posters of basketball G.O.A.T. Nostalgia and whimsy capture the endless possibility of youth and the struggles of growing up. He croons, “A million lonely nights, a million times I tried to jump like Michael Jordan but never quite as high.”
“It’s actually the first one I wrote for Lean Into Me,” he says.
“In many ways, everything else supports it. As far as storytelling goes, it doesn’t rely on a typical pop structure—similar to my earliest stuff. However, the arrangements and production reflect more recent music. Lyrically, it explores my relationship with my dad, which was complicated and unfinished because he died at 53-years-old of a heart attack. I’m using a very vivid memory of the mid-90s to tell the story. My buddies and I were all obsessed with the NBA and stayed up all night watching Jordan’s games. It was a beautiful time where anything was still possible. It’s bittersweet.”
Elsewhere, he dedicates the sweet ballad “Laura’s Song” to his longtime girlfriend, and he culls inspiration of the Barcelona skyline for iridescent and ebullient closer “All The Lights.” Other friends show up across the album as Brett Dennen contributes guitar and vocals to “While You’re Asleep” and Priscilla Ahn lends her inimitable voice to “Houdini” and “Good Thing.”
In the end, Lean Into Me brings listeners closer to Milow than ever before.
“Authenticity is the most important thing to me,” he leaves off. “I hope people get 100% me. I’m showing people things I only show my friends. You’re really getting Milow. My heart is in the music.”
ExpandA record assumes the role of a friend. You turn towards it in times of introspection and celebration alike. Songs console, comfort, and confer confidence. When necessary, they double as a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. A heightened sense of empathy defines the music of Milow. His sixth full-length, Lean Into Me [Homerun Records], extends a familial embrace as it shares relatable recollections with the candor of a late-night conversation among the closest of friends.
“The name Lean Into Me comes from the idea we should lean on each other’s shoulders and show we can help one another,” explains Milow. “Friendship is so important to me. I try to maintain those relationships even though it does get harder when you get older. This theme runs through the entire tracklisting. It’s really personal.”
The critically acclaimed award-winning Belgian singer-and-songwriter’s ability to translate personal subjects into universal anthems transformed him into an international phenomenon. Amassing nearly 200 million global streams by 2019, winning 12 Music Industry Awards in Belgium, and selling out shows worldwide, he first made waves with his 2009 self-titled European debut, Milow. Garnering gold and platinum certifications across Europe, its total sales exceeded 500,000. Meanwhile, a Time Magazine-approved acoustic cover of “Ayo Technology” by 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake exploded with 69 million Spotify streams and 64 million YouTube views. In the aftermath, his discography would grow to encompass North and South [2011] and Silver Linings [2014]. 2016 saw him reach new creative heights on Modern Heart. Boasting production and co-writing by heavy-hitters such as Brian Kennedy [Rihanna, Chris Brown] and James Fauntleroy [Frank Ocean, Bruno Mars], it continued his creative progression. Among a tracklisting of fan favorites, “Howling at the Moon” clocked over 35 million Spotify streams and counting.
Along the way, he dove into cultivating what would become Lean Into Me. Pairing the 21st century production of Modern Heart with a heartfelt folk core, he sharpened his signature style. Fittingly, he invited two of his best buddies to record in Los Angeles. Longtime collaborator and live guitarist Tom Vanstiphout and producer Jo Francken hopped the pond from Belgium and holed up at Milow’s Venice home—a twenty-minute bike ride from 4th Street Recording in Santa Monica where the bulk of the music came to life.
The trio lived together, cruised to the studio together, and crafted songs together. “The theme was a self-fulfilling prophecy, because I was literally making this with my friends,” Milow remarks. “On the last record, I began incorporating production from the beginning of the process. I was hungry for something new. This time, I allowed myself to look back, think about the main themes I’ve written about, the reasons I picked up a guitar in the first place, and what I’ve learned since my first album ten years ago. The album is the most representative of who I am and who I’ve been since moving to Los Angeles seven years ago.” Teaming up with another friend, he preceded Lean Into Me with “Lay Your Worry Down” featuring Matt Simons in 2018. Over vibrant acoustic guitar, finger-snaps, and sun-kissed harmonies, the duet assures, “You don’t need to be alone with your sorrows, you can share them with us—we’ll help you carry them,” he explains. Meanwhile, the 2019 single “Help” pairs a solemn riff with lush strings and piano before a vulnerable confession. “It’s so easy to say, ‘I’m fine’,” he elaborates. “You have to teach yourself and learn it’s okay to ask for help once in a while.”
“Michael Jordan” opens up back in Milow’s high school bedroom surrounded by posters of basketball G.O.A.T. Nostalgia and whimsy capture the endless possibility of youth and the struggles of growing up. He croons, “A million lonely nights, a million times I tried to jump like Michael Jordan but never quite as high.”
“It’s actually the first one I wrote for Lean Into Me,” he says.
“In many ways, everything else supports it. As far as storytelling goes, it doesn’t rely on a typical pop structure—similar to my earliest stuff. However, the arrangements and production reflect more recent music. Lyrically, it explores my relationship with my dad, which was complicated and unfinished because he died at 53-years-old of a heart attack. I’m using a very vivid memory of the mid-90s to tell the story. My buddies and I were all obsessed with the NBA and stayed up all night watching Jordan’s games. It was a beautiful time where anything was still possible. It’s bittersweet.”
Elsewhere, he dedicates the sweet ballad “Laura’s Song” to his longtime girlfriend, and he culls inspiration of the Barcelona skyline for iridescent and ebullient closer “All The Lights.” Other friends show up across the album as Brett Dennen contributes guitar and vocals to “While You’re Asleep” and Priscilla Ahn lends her inimitable voice to “Houdini” and “Good Thing.”
In the end, Lean Into Me brings listeners closer to Milow than ever before.
“Authenticity is the most important thing to me,” he leaves off. “I hope people get 100% me. I’m showing people things I only show my friends. You’re really getting Milow. My heart is in the music.”