REVIEWS
Just over a decade after their inception, Seattle-based “heavy boy band” Dead Lakes have released their debut LP, titled “daydreamer.”
Previous press has stated that the band’s intention when creating this album was for it to be listened to while driving, especially at nighttime in particular, and it certainly takes listeners on a ride. The title track provides a glimpse at what can be expected musically, focusing on synths and hip-hop/trap-influenced production before the drums kick in and the song transitions into one of the singles, “strange juice.” This track is one of my favorites amongst the singles and the record as a whole, as it’s one of many that brings a perfect balance of all the band’s influences and contains an unforgettable chorus.
The drums and vocal melodies really stand out in the verses of “tongue planet,” preparing for the choruses, where more of the instrumentals really kick in. Another single, “wrong way,” contains one of plenty choruses from this record that will easy stick with the listener. Track five, “onyx drive,” brings a slower tempo and another memorable chorus, and is a strong example of the array of musical styles that the band incorporated into this album. Afterwards, “stamina” picks the pace back up and brings some of the most engaging vocals and lead guitar riffs on the whole record. An interlude, “believer,” is the album’s midpoint. The track is definitely on the poppier side in terms of the production, primarily consisting of the vocals and a simple kick drum that keeps the rhythm flowing. A track that I feel is one of the most underrated on this album is “hold back,” which has some similar musical influences. It’s one of the catchiest songs on the record and quickly became one of my favorites outside of the singles. The next two tracks both had some lyrics that caught my attention. Firstly, “ad nauseum” seems to be about the fallout of a relationship and trying to come to terms with the aftermath (“Need to take some time to adjust to feeling like you haunt me”). Following that is “drown it out,” one of my favorites from the whole record. The lyrics on this one feel very reflective, as this album is intended to be (“I’ve gotta give myself some help / I wasn’t meant to collect all this dust on the shelf / I want to throw it in drive and just go / Clarity feels like time’s moving slow”). The record’s penultimate track, “quicksand,” highlights a lot of the pop and hip-hop influences found throughout this record, bringing even more catchy vocal melodies and bass riffs to the table. Finally, the album finishes off with “deceiver,” a powerful closer that fits perfectly in its spot on the tracklist. Between the stellar singles and the more underrated gems, Dead Lakes have refined their distinct sound and created a very noteworthy record. "daydreamer" is available now. listen to the album here:
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