Oscar- and BAFTA-nominated band Son Lux is entering a new chapter with the release of its ninth studio album, “Out Into,” due out on Sept. 18.

The experimental trio—composed of Ryan Lott, Rafiq Bhatia, and Ian Chang—has built a reputation for pushing musical boundaries, but in recent years their profile expanded globally through film scoring. The group earned Academy Award nominations for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, as well as a BAFTA nomination, for their acclaimed work on A24's Best Picture winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Since then, Son Lux has become an increasingly sought-after name in Hollywood, scoring projects including Marvel Studios' “Thunderbolts” and the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios film “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.”

Ahead of the release of “Out Into,” Son Lux unveiled its lead single, “Endlessly,” and announced a global tour running through 2026 and 2027, with Asia dates currently being finalized.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin Entertainment, the band discussed how the new album differs from previous releases, the impact of their Oscar and BAFTA nominations, and their plans for the future.

Son Lux members (from left) Ryan Lott, Ian Chang and Rafiq Bhatia (Photo by Anna Powell Denton)

Artwork for Son Lux's upcoming album "Out Into" (Son Lux)

How is “Out Into” different from your previous albums?

Rafiq Bhatia: “Out Into” feels to me more direct and more intimate than anything that we've made before, and I think a big part of that has to do with the way that these songs kind of started to bud and bloom.

In the past, our music often began from small fragments of sound, textures, or rhythmic ideas that we would slowly and meticulously build into songs. It was almost like creating an ice sculpture or building a ship in a bottle.

What was different this time was that most of the ideas emerged while the three of us were together in a room, playing instruments and allowing the music to develop organically. After years of figuring out how to perform our records live, the way we think about and play our instruments has evolved.

For the first time, it felt like the live interaction itself was the goal rather than a reconstruction of something we had already built in the studio.

I feel really proud of that work because “Out Into” feels less brittle and more alive. It breathes. It feels human, real, and very much in the moment.

Please describe “Endlessly.”

Ryan Lott: “Endlessly” is the first single from “Out Into.” It's a song of encouragement—about resisting the things and people that keep us from being ourselves.

It's also a statement of allyship for people who have to take risks in order to live authentically, whether in their personal lives or within social or religious structures.

Sometimes we avoid making important changes because we're afraid that people around us won't love us anymore if we do. One of the central sentiments of the song is: you've got me now, and you always will, no matter what.

That's what the song means to me, though like any Son Lux song, it's open to interpretation.

You were nominated for an Oscar and BAFTA for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” What did you feel when you received the nominations?

Ian Chang: I felt surprised.

When we were working on the film, no one could have predicted how it would be received. Not because we didn't think it was amazing—I personally cried multiple times while working on it—but because it was such a strange, ambitious, risk-taking film.

So when we received those nominations, I was genuinely shocked and incredibly excited. One of the first things I did was call my parents because this was a form of validation they could immediately understand and be proud of.

I actually learned about the Oscar nominations from Ryan's mom, Linda Lott. She sent a congratulatory message before I even knew what had happened.

It was an amazing feeling and a real honor simply to be considered.

How did the nominations impact your career, music, and confidence?

Ian Chang: They've definitely opened doors for us in the world of film scoring.

Since “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” we've had opportunities to work on incredible projects. We scored Marvel's “Thunderbolts,” and there are several other projects underway, including one that will be announced soon. We're also preparing to score another film together.

Ryan Lott: There's also a Son Lux score for an upcoming Apple TV series that we can't talk about yet.

Ian Chang: Professionally, the nominations have been hugely positive. As for confidence, they gave me a sense of validation.

At the same time, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was actually Rafiq's and my first scoring project. While I'm proud of what we accomplished, I still approach every new project with humility and the understanding that there's always more to learn.

How did you get into scoring?

Ryan Lott: I actually started very early through dance.

My wife, who is a dancer and choreographer, introduced me to the idea of creating music for movement. I often composed music while watching rehearsal videos, which taught me many of the mechanics of scoring.

Moving from dance into film scoring felt very natural because the process is similar—you are writing music in response to something visual.

There is a world tour for your new album. Are you coming to Asia, including the Philippines?

Ian Chang: The tour is still being finalized, but yes, we are coming to Asia.

We've already announced shows in Tokyo and Osaka, and we're exploring opportunities in China and other territories as well.

It's our first time touring in Asia, and that's especially meaningful for me because I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Performing in this part of the world with my best friends is something I've dreamed about for a long time.

We hope to make it to the Philippines, but we can't make any promises just yet.

You have been together for a long time. Where do you see Son Lux five years from now?

Rafiq Bhatia: It's difficult to predict what the future will look like, but it's hard for me to imagine the three of us not continuing to explore, challenge, and inspire one another through music.

Whether that takes the form of albums, live performances, film scores, or something entirely different, I hope we can continue creating work that feels personal and honest.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have this collaborative relationship with Ryan and Ian. For now, we're taking things one day at a time, staying grateful for the opportunity to do what we love, and seeing where the journey leads.