You know that feeling when a song just hits at 2 a.m. and suddenly you’re staring at your ceiling rethinking every text you ever sent? That is exactly what happened when The Kid LAROI Nights Like This started blowing up. It wasn't just another track on a deluxe album. It became a mood. A vibe. A literal digital phenomenon that proved Charlton Howard—the kid from Waterloo, Sydney—wasn’t just a "Stay" one-hit wonder. He actually understood the messy, localized trauma of being young and lonely.
He’s raw.
The track originally appeared on The First Time (Deluxe), and honestly, it felt like a sleeper hit from the jump. While other artists are out here over-producing every snare hit, LAROI leaned into this stripped-back, melodic desperation that feels more like a voice memo than a studio session. It’s short. Barely two and a half minutes. But in that window, he manages to capture the specific ache of missing someone who is probably better off out of your life.
The Viral Architecture of Nights Like This
Let's be real about why we’re even talking about this song years later. TikTok.
Social media didn't just play the song; it lived in it. The "Nights Like This" trend wasn't about flashy dances or high-production transitions. It was about "corecore" and "hopecore." It was about people filming grainy videos of city lights from a train window or the blurry glow of a gas station at midnight. The song provided the sonic texture for a specific kind of modern melancholy.
When you hear that guitar intro, you know exactly what’s coming. It’s melodic rap, sure, but it borrows heavily from the emo-pop-punk ethos that Juice WRLD pioneered. LAROI was Juice’s protégé, and you can hear that DNA in every vocal flip. But where Juice was often focused on the darker side of substance use and heartbreak, LAROI brings a slightly more "pop" sensibility that makes the sadness feel... well, catchy.
He’s got this raspy delivery. It sounds like he’s been shouting or crying, or maybe both. That authenticity is why The Kid LAROI Nights Like This works. It doesn't feel like a corporate product. It feels like a kid in his bedroom.
Why the "Short Song" Meta Actually Worked
The song is short. Like, really short.
In the streaming era, there’s this huge debate about songs getting shorter just to farm "replays." If a song is two minutes long, you're more likely to loop it ten times in a row. Critics call it "playlist bait." But with this specific track, the brevity feels intentional. It’s a snapshot. A fleeting thought.
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You’ve probably noticed that the song doesn't really have a traditional bridge or a grand, sweeping outro. It just kind of... ends. Much like a late-night thought that gets interrupted by sleep or a distraction. This lack of resolution is part of the magic. It leaves the listener wanting to hit that replay button because the emotional itch hasn't been fully scratched yet.
Breaking Down the Lyrics: What is he actually saying?
"Nights like this, I wish I could do it all again."
It's a simple line. Almost too simple. But in the context of the song, it carries the weight of a hundred lost conversations. LAROI is talking about the cycle of regret. He’s looking back at a relationship through rose-colored glasses, acknowledging the toxicity while simultaneously craving it.
We’ve all been there.
He mentions the "late nights" and the "fights," blending the good with the bad until they’re indistinguishable. The lyrics aren't trying to be Shakespeare. They’re trying to be a DM you almost sent but deleted. That’s the genius of his songwriting—it’s accessible. You don’t need a degree in literature to feel the punch in the gut when he hits those high notes in the chorus.
The Production by Clavone and FnZ
The beat is surprisingly sophisticated for something that feels so "lo-fi." Produced by heavyweights like FnZ (who have worked with everyone from Kanye to Drake) and Clavone, the track uses a guitar loop that feels nostalgic. It’s got that "underwater" filter on it—a technique where you cut out the high frequencies to make the sound feel distant and dreamy.
This creates a "headspace" for the listener. It’s not a club banger. It’s a "headphones on, world off" kind of production.
- The Bass: Subtle but driving.
- The Vocals: Layered with just enough reverb to sound like he's in a big, empty room.
- The Tempo: Fast enough to keep you moving, slow enough to make you feel.
The First Time (Deluxe) and the Evolution of LAROI
When The First Time dropped in 2023, people weren't sure what to expect. LAROI had been quiet for a bit after the massive success of "Stay." He was trying to find his voice away from the "Justin Bieber's little brother" label.
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The deluxe version of the album, which features The Kid LAROI Nights Like This, was his way of proving he had range. The album features collaborations with Future, Robert Glasper, and YoungThug, but it’s the solo tracks where he really shines. It showed a more mature side of the Australian artist. He was dealing with fame, the loss of his mentor, and the pressures of being a global superstar before he could legally drink in the US.
The fans responded. They didn't want the polished pop hits as much as they wanted the raw, unedited version of his psyche.
What People Get Wrong About LAROI's Sound
A lot of people dismiss him as just another "industry plant" or a "TikTok artist." That’s a massive oversimplification.
If you look at his live performances—especially the ones where he plays this song—you see a level of vocal control and stage presence that most "viral" artists lack. He’s a student of the game. He grew up listening to Tupac and Erykah Badu, and you can hear those soulful influences if you listen closely to his phrasing. He isn't just mimicking; he's synthesizing.
The Impact on Gen Z Culture
We have to talk about the "vibe shift."
Music in 2025 and 2026 has moved away from the "everything is awesome" energy of the 2010s. Everything is a bit more anxious now. A bit more uncertain. Songs like The Kid LAROI Nights Like This act as a collective sigh of relief. They tell the listener: "Hey, I’m miserable too, and that’s okay."
It’s about "main character energy," but for the scenes in the movie where the character is losing. There is something incredibly therapeutic about hearing a multi-millionaire pop star admit he still gets lonely on "nights like this." It bridges the gap between the idol and the fan.
How to Actually Experience the Song
If you’re just listening to this through your phone speakers while doing chores, you’re missing it.
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- Wait for night. Seriously. It’s in the title for a reason.
- Use good headphones. The spatial audio mix on the deluxe album is actually pretty insane.
- Listen to the transitions. The way the track sits within the context of the album—especially coming after more high-energy songs—is a masterclass in pacing.
Honestly, the song serves as a reminder that the most powerful music is often the simplest. You don't need a 50-piece orchestra or a 10-minute runtime to make someone feel something. You just need a guitar, a honest voice, and a feeling that everyone recognizes but no one wants to admit they have.
The Legacy of the "Deluxe" Era
For a long time, "Deluxe" albums were just a way to squeeze more money out of fans. They were filled with throwaway tracks that weren't good enough for the main record. But LAROI flipped the script. Some of his best work—including this track—came from that second wave of releases. It’s changed how labels think about "leftover" songs. Sometimes the B-sides are actually the soul of the project.
Your Next Steps with The Kid LAROI
If "Nights Like This" is your entry point into LAROI's more introspective work, don't stop there.
Go back to the "Fuck Love" trilogy. You can see the seeds of this sound being planted back in 2020. Watch his documentary, Kids Are Growing Up, on Amazon Prime. It gives a lot of context to the anxiety and the "nights" he’s singing about. It shows the footage of him as a 14-year-old in Australia, grinding, before the world knew his name.
Lastly, pay attention to the production credits on his newer stuff. He’s working with more diverse producers now, moving into sounds that blend jazz, R&B, and even some indie-rock influences. The Kid LAROI Nights Like This was just a hint of where he’s going. The "kid" isn't a kid anymore; he's becoming one of the most interesting architects of modern pop.
Actionable Insight: If you're a creator or a musician, study the "Short Song" structure of this track. Notice how it cuts the "fat" and gets straight to the hook. It's a perfect example of how to capture attention in a low-attention-span world without sacrificing emotional depth.
Start by listening to the live acoustic version if you can find it. It strips away the "Nights Like This" polish and reveals the raw songwriting underneath. That's where the real power lies.