DEAD LAKES - DAYDREAMER
credit: chris echols
The Album Daydreamer by Dead Lakes is strikingly reminiscent of pop rock albums from the 2010s, and I loved every minute of it. I’ll be honest, prior to this, I didn’t know who Dead Lakes was so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. Daydreamer is catchy, the perfect amount of heavy, Dead Lakes was able to easily blend hip-hop, pop and elements of electronic music with a post-hardcore edge. With a parked car on the cover, they establish that they’re about to take you on a ride through a surreal and dreamy world that they’ve created for us to experience over 37 minutes. Again an album truly meant to be consumed on a solo drive..
Daydreamer starts with ‘Strange Juice’, they’re ready to go and introduce a synth soundscape with this opening track, then we speed off into the night with ‘Strange Juice’ as the background to the beginning of this journey. It then drops you into ‘Tongue Planet’ a song that is a lush upbeat pop rock song that is reminiscent of a drive in the middle of the night. ‘Tongue Planet’ has relatable lyrics and the album as a whole touches on sensitive subjects the struggles of living through the pandemic, moving on from heartbreak, depression, self-doubt and euphoria.
Through the album we experience a wide range of vocals from Sumner Peterson who draws inspirations from bands like Bring Me The Horizon, PVRIS and hiphop artists, especially on tracks like ‘onyx drive’ which have a obvious hip hop flow and inspiration. Peterson continues to create catchy and infectious hooks that will stick with you. Instrumentally the album doesn’t let us down. There is a mixture of electronic soundscapes that are balanced out by softer production moments which together create a fully immersive atmosphere. There are standout moments that mix post rock and r&b vocals to give us dreamy tracks. While there are energetic metalcore moments that are reminiscent of Bring Me the Horizon’s That’s the Spirit era.
Dead Lakes album Daydreamer as a whole touches on sensitive subjects the struggles of living through the pandemic, moving on from heartbreak, depression, self-doubt and euphoria. It is dreamy and surreal from start to finish and filled with nonstop catchy tracks. All of the songs on the album have their own unique personality and story but it offers the feeling of nostalgia to those who might be looking for the a reminder of who they were. Its perfect for a midnight drive to contemplate life and who you really are, or relaxing on your way home after a long day . The album flows with ease, it never feels repetitive.
Viviana Mendoza
★★★★☆