Lakshane has been at this for a hot minute now. Bursting onto the scene in 2017 with his Kiid Koda-assisted single ‘Don’t Lie,’ the Sri-Lankan-born, Melbourne-based crooner has been busy at work finessing his unique blend of alternative R&B and hip-hop. He released his debut EP Come Alive in 2019, where he delved into late-night. Atmospheric sounds with diary entry-like vulnerability, and through artistic growth, he’s transforming his transparency into bigger, broader anthems—case and point; his new single ‘Ariana.’ 

Over minimalist yet spacious synths and warm bass, Lakshane pens a sonic letter to the love he misses, in an atmosphere he describes as ‘controlled chaos.’ But within these feelings, he carries himself with catchy, pop-radio ready melodies, seamless flows, and a confident swagger. Speaking on the song in a press release, Lakshane states, “it’s about a moment in time – it was New Year’s back home in Sri Lanka, and I was missing someone I had ended things with. I hadn’t really gotten over it and was frustrated at the fact I was so far away and couldn’t do anything about it.” In these moments of reflection, ‘Ariana’ has the past-midnight, highway-driving soundscapes of alternative R&B, but at no point is Lakshane parking the car. Instead, the soulful soliloquies of the single act as extra mileage, as he quests for his next chapter.

Follow Lakshane here for more and check out the video for ‘Ariana’ above.