Why did I review the album? My sister told me about Daley about a
year ago, but I never took her advice and listened. Then I heard Those Who Wait
and couldn’t get my hands on enough of Daley’s music.
Did I like it? Yes
Will I listen again? I will
revisit this albums many times
I’ve said many times that my
favorite genre is 90’s R&B. But, as time passed people grew tired of R&B
and rap (and pop) has taken its place. I believe the main reason for this is
that R&B is traditionally slow and to some, a bit boring.
Well, Daley should change that perception
with this album. It uses lively beats to speed the pace of the songs, but uses
his delivery and voice to balance the fast pace, merging traditional 90’s
R&B delivery with modern up- tempo beats that are prevalent today.
The album sports some variety as
well. Its backbone deals in relationships, but also ponders what, if anything,
can we do to help someone that cannot help themselves (She Fades).
Alone
Together changes the pace of the album.
At 12 songs, it’s a bit shorter
than I’d prefer, but what is provided is golden.
The crowning achievement of this
album is its ability to use up-tempo beats and merge it with soulful singing
and content.
My Favs
3. Blame the World
2. Time Travel
1. Alone Together
Overall Rating: 83 with a recommendation to Buy
Time Travel- This reminded me of something JT would do because it
chooses and weird and different medium (time travel) to discuss a fairly simple
topic (the dynamics of a relationship). JT has done this with a lot of songs like
Spaceship Coupe. The beat even sounds like something Timberland would make for
JT. 4.5/5
Look Up- The beat for this song is really soothing and welcoming. I’ve
tried to figure out what instruments make up the beat, but can’t quite figure
out. The song talks about the nonverbal of
a relationship. In Daley’s case, he doesn’t even have to speak to his girl,
their nonverbals and the things that are NOT said tell each person what is transpiring
in the relationship. 4/5
Blame the World-I love how the beat sets the tone without Daley
having to say a word. Right from the start the song has a foreboding and suspenseful
aura. The song deals with karma and denial. The other partner blames the
failure on everyone besides herself. I like the line where Daley says to blame
the failure of the relationship on the people WE could not be. That acknowledges
the fact that when relationships do not work, it is usually a failure of both
parties. 4.5/5
Good News- I like this song, but something felt odd to me. I had to
listen five times before I figured it out. The song is about someone that’s
overwhelmed by life, but it’s so upbeat and happy. The lyrics don’t mesh with
the beat and delivery. It sounds great, but on a critical level it doesn’t make
sense to me. 3.5/5
Love + Affection- The other people involved in this song aren’t
credited but I’d like to know who they are because they worked well with Daley
on this track. The classic case of someone feeling safe /opening up to a
certain person, but remaining closed to everyone else. It’s not original, but
the other people in the song allow me to like this one more than I should. 4/5
Be- I went to Daley’s concert and this is what he had to say about
the song:
“You know the person you know so
well that you can get past all the bs. You do not have to say a word to them,
but they still understand. That’s what this song represents.”
It’s ironic because I thought
that was the meaning behind Look Up, but perhaps that wasn’t his intention.
If he didn’t say that I wouldn’t
have guessed that was the meaning of the song, but I guess that’s the beauty of
any art. It meaning isn’t definite, it changes with each person. For instance,
when I hear this song I hear a story about a couple that is struggling to
communicate with each other.
Apparently it’s one of Daley’s
favorite songs because he had a shirt on that referenced the song (and he said
it). I don’t see why. It’s not a bad song, but there are plenty of others I’d
name before this one. 3.5/5
Alone Together- A nod to 90’s R&B. The song's title is an oxymoron that made me smile. I love this song because it’s
such a contrast to the rest of the album. It’s the only song with a feature and
it’s one of the only “slow song” on Days and Nights. And it shows the
versatility of Daley. The rest of the album proves that he can make great music
on his own, but this song displays how he can works with others. It’s also the
only song where he takes a subordinate role. That’s not a bad thing, he holds
his own with Marsha Ambrosius, but she definitely steals the show. My favorite
duet of 2014. 5/5
Pass it On- Have love in your heart and let it infect those around
you. I think he’s talking generally in the chorus, but it referring to a
specific person in the verses because it adopts a personal nature in the verses.
The song is infectious and puts a smile on my face every time I listen to it. Another possible single. 4/5
Broken-Probably the most radio friendly of all his songs and a wise
choice for a single. Daley’s had his heart broken so many times he wondering if
it’s worth it to make himself vulnerable one more time. It’s a story that has
been touched upon by almost every artist in the past and this is Daley’s
attempt. 3.5/5
She Fades- What can you do to help someone that is so confused that
they cannot/refuse to help themselves? Can you do anything? 4/5
Love Somebody- A song
that details the feeling of infatuation. 4/5
Days+Nights-If he decides to have a second single this will
probably be the one he chooses. To me it’s a carbon copy of Broken in term of
content. However I like the sound of this one a bit more All the instruments
come together to form a strong and entertaining beat. Also the pace of this one
is very fast. To accommodate Daley speeds up his delivery as well. Both sound
and delivery come together well here to create a song that meshes well. 4/5
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