As a pop artist, Michael Lanza already has many notches under his belt. From earning over 3 million streams of his recently released debut album, Human, to garnering a spot on the Billboard Dance chart and having a song featured in the season finale of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Michael Lanza is certainly making waves in the music industry.

What’s also making waves is the scenic music video for “Islands,” which PopWrapped are delighted to premiere. Directed by award-winning producer Nanako Fukui combined with two Bay area natives, the video shows the beauty of the golden state; beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and abandoned buildings, yet underneath the bright waters lies a deeper meaning and story. Michael explains: “On the outside ‘Islands’ is about trying to fill the void within you after a relationship is over. You keep getting so close, but new people always seem to remind you of the one thing you don’t have anymore. You seem happy, but deep within there is great sadness and turmoil.”

For many it’s hard to reach out and admit that they’re going through a hard time and the “Islands” video highlights the trouble that comes with this. Michael Lanza and Chow Mane successfully escape and ignore their problems by traveling to paradise. However, the sirens featured represent what happens when you keep avoiding them. Through both the lyrics and the video to “Islands”, Michael explains that the only way to get out of your turmoil is to tell others and find someone who’s been in the same situation. The two find that solution through the heavenly siren and through her empathy, are able to move on from their problems and make their paradise real instead of imaginary. 

“Islands”, like many of the other tracks on his album, Human, highlights the importance of empathy. Being inspired by music from around the world and studying across the globe, Michael noticed one thing in common and took those lessons through and into his music. “The human experience is very different around the world, but human emotions are very similar,” he says. “We all feel the same emotions and we can bring everyone together.” At a time where much of the world seems more divided, in several aspects and ways, than ever, Michael reminds those who listen to his music of the importance of remembering the things that bring us together, with “Islands” being one such track, and video, to do so in a rather impressive way.

Check out the video for “Islands” below and for more information on Michael Lanza, give his page a like on Facebook or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.