Fatherhood helped Lane 8 tap into his inner child while creating his fifth studio album. The Denver-based producer (born Daniel Goldstein) told fans on Instagram how watching his kids create purely for fun caused him to reflect on how his own approach to art has changed over the years. So as Goldstein wrote Childish, he focused on simply enjoying the act of making music, unburdened by others’ expectations. His melodic house is expansive and nostalgic, inviting listeners into a world that’s both playful and deeply emotional. Songs such as the title track and “Quiet Rush” deliver skyscraping builds and euphoric drops, while “Merry Mary” (perhaps a reference to the nursery rhyme) glows with its neon melody. “Osse De Dosse” feels especially intimate, with squiggling synths hovering above a simple piano riff and subtle tinkering sounds. Goldstein’s collaborators, with their gossamer vocals, bring more depth to his soundscapes. Arctic Lake laments lost love on “The Choice,” Tailor offers late-night musings on “Wake Up,” and Art School Girlfriend reassures emotional safety on “The Deep.”