The Daytime High is a lively trio from Los Angeles, California, established in late 2022. The group consists of Micael Johansson and David James, who handle vocals and guitar, along with Rich Buckland, who plays bass, keys, and handles programming. Incorporating a wide array of influences such as iconic bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and Pink Floyd, The Daytime High crafts a diverse and captivating sound. Famous for mixing serious topics with a cheerful, funny style, the band creates songs that are profound yet easy to connect with. Their music’s captivating nature comes from their skill in engaging and thought-provoking content.
The self-titled album of the band, “The Daytime High”, was released on September 13th, 2024. This long-awaited project was recorded at Garudio in Thousand Oaks between 2022 and 2023 and carefully mixed by Curt Piar with input from the band, except for the song “Melting,” which was entirely produced by the trio. The outcome is an album that exudes intimacy and personal touch while also encompassing vastness, delving into universal topics with seriousness and wit.
The album contains ten carefully composed songs that explore various feelings, especially focusing on topics like sorrow and pondering about existence. Still, the band always prevents the listener from becoming overwhelmed by sadness. Instead of that, they incorporate a dry, dark wit into their songwriting, which makes the album emotionally inspiring and intellectually stimulating. This equilibrium provides the album with its own distinct voice, making it stand out in the current music scene. “The Daytime High” immediately pulls the listener into a vast, immersive auditory experience from the opening note. The album transitions smoothly between each track, showcasing unique yet interconnected songs that contribute to the overall story. The album creates a cohesive experience, as it is carefully crafted and designed to take the listener on a full journey, instead of simply offering individual songs.
The Daytime High Album Track List:
Every Single Day:
“Every Single Day” kicks off ‘The Daytime High’ with a burst of energy, establishing the mood for the entire album. The song captivates the listener right away with its appealing and absorbing music, providing a strong base for the heartfelt vocals to shine. The interaction of lively music and strong vocals highlights the emotional essence of the song, captivating listeners with its message. It is unmistakable from the very beginning that this song is meant to leave a lasting impression, combining lively beats with sincere lyrics.
The song examines the topic of love, delving into the deep feelings that arise from loving someone consistently. The emotions are portrayed vividly through the lyrics, while the vocals blend vulnerability and passion seamlessly. The consistent, inspiring music elevates the song emotionally, enabling the audience to experience the significance of love the song becoming too sentimental. The track’s greatest strength lies in the balance between the heartfelt lyrics and the lively soundscape.
The standout element in “Every Single Day” is the consistent groove carried by the instrumentation throughout the entire song. The captivating beat remains consistent, infusing the song with a lively vibe that complements the heartfelt words. This establishes an intriguing relationship in which the music enhances the emotional atmosphere of the song, ensuring that the listener remains interested throughout. It is a great illustration of how The Daytime High is skilled at creating songs that are both emotionally moving and musically catchy.
Never Good Enough:
“Never Good Enough,” the third song on ‘The Daytime High’, provides a deeply emotional listening experience that stays with the listener even after the track finishes. From the beginning, the track grabs attention with a consistent drumbeat and a beautifully emotional melody, forming an ambiance that instantly engages the listener. The music gradually develops, setting the emotional mood with the instrumentation before the vocals come in. When they sing, the emotional vocal delivery matches the melody perfectly, bringing depth and authenticity to the song.
The song delves into the common experience of feeling insufficient even when putting in maximum effort. The song’s lyrics explore the emotional intricacies of self-doubt, addressing the deeply rooted fear of never measuring up. This is a topic that will strike a chord with numerous audiences, particularly individuals who have struggled with insecurity and the demands of being perfect. The emotive melody combined with the poignant lyrical content results in a song that seems highly personal yet universally appealing. It is a song that resonates with individuals emotionally, enabling them to seek comfort in the collective vulnerability they experience.
The power of “Never Good Enough” lies in its capacity to stir intense emotions with both its music and message. The emotionally gripping quality of the song captivates listeners and allows them to truly connect with the profound themes of the track. The unrefined vocal performance adds to the emotional depth, while the consistent drumming and melody create a haunting, reflective atmosphere. This song is remarkable not just for its deep theme but also for its capacity to immerse listeners in the emotional heart of the music, making it a standout moment on the album.
Melting:
The sixth track of ‘The Daytime High’, titled “Melting,” starts with a lovely and soft tune that slowly reveals itself, captivating the listener with its calming yet enigmatic vibe. The vocals come in with a captivating tone, mixing smoothly with the gentle instrumentation to form an engaging soundscape. This intriguing beginning presents a mysterious charm, laying the foundation for the exciting transformation that occurs as the song moves forward. The gentle charm of the intro helps listeners ease into the song’s vibe, getting them ready for the upcoming change.
By the 45 seconds mark, the song goes through a noticeable change, shifting into a livelier and more prominent arrangement. This change adds a contagious liveliness to the song, while also preserving its melodic appeal. The instruments are gradually developed to establish a strong base for the captivating vocals, which continue to be the main focus of the song. The smooth progression from the soft beginning to the energetic middle part maintains the song’s interest, as each component enhances the other in a manner that is both organic and thrilling. This shift in dynamics enhances the listening experience, captivating the audience throughout.
Even with the energy that is brought in, “Melting” always maintains its captivating and compelling atmosphere. The track’s unique character is created by the lively charm that balances soft introspection with upbeat vitality. The music is complex and varied, offering an engaging auditory experience that encapsulates the album’s range. Featuring captivating singing and a changing sound, “Melting” is a standout track on the album, demonstrating the band’s talent in crafting delicate and powerful moments in one song.
Open Up:
“Open Up,” the final song on ‘The Daytime High’, effectively captures the laid-back and contemplative mood that characterizes the end of the album. Once the relaxed rhythm starts playing, the song immediately draws in listeners with its soothing and chill vibe. The simplicity of the music adds to its appeal, generating a calming and captivating mood that encourages the listener to unwind and appreciate the closing tracks of the album. Its smooth progression is easily captivating, providing a feeling of ease as it slowly reveals itself, serving as an appropriate conclusion to the musical voyage of the album.
The vocals in “Open Up” are just as captivating, adding to the immersive sound environment with a tone that is emotional and comforting. As the song continues, the vocal performance strengthens the appeal of the music, pulling listeners further into the emotional heart of the song. The vocals blending with the instrumentation create a delicate but strong allure, bringing about a change and fostering a deeper feeling of closeness and contemplation. This captivating aspect encourages listeners to deeply engage with the song’s calm and reflective atmosphere, providing a peaceful moment of reflection before the album ends.
“Open Up” serves as the closing track, giving off a warm goodbye vibe to listeners as the music gracefully wraps up. The track’s essence brings a feeling of closure, serving as a suitable conclusion to the album’s emotional and musical exploration. The song’s captivating beauty and immersive allure make it the perfect ending for ‘The Daytime High’, leaving listeners feeling tranquil and introspective.
The album excels at balancing introspective moments with lightheartedness. Songs such as “Melting” demonstrate the band’s skill in managing production tasks independently, creating a song that is complex in sound and emotionally powerful. The album successfully conveys its ethos by blending weighty themes with a hint of humor. Each song on the album is carefully crafted to provide a memorable listening experience, without any unnecessary or boring moments.
Overall, “The Daytime High” expertly combines important topics with catchy, enjoyable tunes. The album connects with listeners on a profound level, catering to different preferences – be it for meaningful lyrics or captivating instrumentals. The album provides a cathartic listening experience that parallels the band’s creative process, featuring a sonic environment that is both soothing and thought-provoking. If you appreciate cleverly-made music with a touch of humor, you won’t want to overlook this album.
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