ALBUM REVIEW: daydreamer – Dead Lakes
Fans of DEAD LAKES have been waiting for their debut full-length album daydreamer for a long time considering the band formed over a decade ago. Some might be surprised about them not releasing a full-length record before given their popularity within the rock scene, but it’s here now and that’s what matters. Describing themselves as a “heavy boyband” and with a promise of songs covering the “heart wrenching moments in life”, the possibilities are endless but both statements hold true when it comes to this record.
As the album opens with the title track, an intro to what we’re about to experience, we’re greeted by an assortment of creepy noises before we hear a car engine starting and someone skipping various radio stations. At this moment, it’s easy to draw comparisons to the opening tracks on each album by THE 1975 where everything is distorted and nothing is clear; in short, it’s intriguing. And then the band launch straight into the pop-rock focused single strange juice, with loud instruments and strong vocals depicting a story of the heart going through the motions, creating a fully anthemic track.
It’s an ongoing theme throughout the record; anthemic songs that make you bop your head along and you only want to get up and dance along to the catchy pop-rock hooks. Yet there’s more to it than that as DEAD LAKES experiment with different styles that allow each track to be unique. One moment we’re enjoying an upbeat pop-rock song like tongue planet, the next the band are doing some metalcore reminiscent of that of BRING ME THE HORIZON in their That’s The Spirit era, as heard on early single stamina. Elsewhere they invite the listener into a shared moment of vulnerability in quicksand with lo-fi beats that transcend into electronic rock, reminiscent of PVRIS’ White Noise, for example, and in another still the band create a synth orchestra as heard in fifth track onyx drive.
It is mostly great, but there are moments where things feel a bit out of place, or that they don’t suit the track even. Eighth track hold back has a weird effect that distracts you from the otherwise solid track that goes between pop-rock and grunge. And in all honesty, the album could have done without believer, an interlude that has a strange electronic-jazz theme that just confuses you.
Despite that, those moments are easily forgiven and forgotten with most of the album being filled with non-stop catchy tracks. Each song on daydreamer has a different twist and style that comes with a unique personality and story for the listener to enjoy. DEAD LAKES offer something that feels comforting yet modern with their debut album and it was totally worth the wait.
Rating: 8/10
daydreamer is set for release on March 31st via SharpTone Records.
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