An ’80s-inspired synth-pop escape.

A6, the latest release from Canadian musician Lights, is a fresh, cohesive collection of synth driven pop, steeped in ’80s nostalgia. Built on a foundation of lush pads, shimmering synth textures and timeless drum machine percussion, the classic chord progressions create a wide, immersive sonic space. It’s a record that prioritizes mood and texture, slowly unfolding in a way that invites listeners to settle into its world.

The tone of A6 is intimate and reflective, with subtle production choices that let each track breathe. Songs linger in the spaces between beats, allowing pads and sustained chords to carry the emotional weight. It’s a noticeable shift from the more energetic, pop-forward material in Lights’ earlier catalog. Here, she leans into something softer, warmer and more introspective – the kind of album that feels made for solitary late-night drives or quiet afternoons when you just need to drift.

Among the album’s highlights, “GHOST GIRL ON FIRST” shines for its haunting simplicity. A reverb drenched guitar line weaves through a stripped back arrangement, while Lights delivers a vocal full of tension and unresolved feeling. It’s a song that lingers long after it’s over. “CLINGY” introduces a sharper, more rhythmic beat that adds a different flavor that works well with the rest of the album. It’s one of the few tracks that leans into a more immediate groove, pairing self aware, incisive lyrics with an infectious hook and it works beautifully.

Finally, the closing track, “DAY TWO,” is a sparse, atmospheric piece that serves as an elegant conclusion. It favors space and restraint over resolution, leaving the listener in an open ended, reflective state that feels earned. 

A6 is a carefully crafted, emotionally honest album that finds strength in its consistency and execution – a confident addition to Lights’ evolving body of work.