California native Devin Dawson has released his much anticipated debut album. The “All On Me” singer’s first album combines a variety of influences to create a cohesive album that’s guaranteed to have at least one track for everyone. Dawson’s first album sounds like an artist’s third or fourth album when they try to experiment with a new sound. Dawson will only improve as he refines his sound, but Dark Horse is one hell of a starting point.
Track List:
Dip
All On Me
Asking For A Friend
Second To Last
Symptoms
I Don’t Care Who Sees
Secondhand Hurt
Placebo
War Paint
I Can’t Trust Myself
Prison
Dark Horse
Top Tracks: Dip, War Paint, Prison
Overall Rating: 4/5
The blend of pop, rock, funk, and country influences creates a unique vibe throughout the album. If Dark Horse was a second or third album, it would be a welcome change to explore new musical styles, but as a debut it doesn’t truly establish what Devin’s sound really is. Then again, Dawson is the Dark Horse, so don’t count him out. Overall, it’s a fantastic album that will definitely keep Devin Dawson on country music radar.
Dip
The album opens with the incredibly funky track, Dip. Dawson’s California roots are on full display with the guitar riff that has a distinctly “ska” vibe. Dip is about a couple feeling obligated to go out with their friends, but looking for the first opportunity to get back home alone. Cause you’ll be dancin’ to distract ‘em / And I’ll be firing up the El Dorado, laughin’
All On Me
The first single from the album has a much more modern country vibe to it. It’s a feel good song to a girl letting her know that no matter what’s going on, he’s there to help her get through it. The song works both as a romantic song to a lover after a bad day, or just something to a platonic friend. C’mon relax your mind on me / When you need a shoulder you can cry on me
Asking For A Friend
Sticking to the modern country sound, Dawson tells the story of approaching a girl at a bar and explaining how he wants to know about her for a friend. He tells her how this “friend” messed up a relationship in the past and wants a chance with her. As the song winds down, the listener finds out the “friend” is Dawson himself. It’s a great throwback to the middle school days when you would gauge a crush’s interest by “asking” for a friend. What do you say? It’s Friday night / And you’re beautiful, so beautiful
Second To Last
Second To Last picks up a mild latin influence. It just kind of makes you want to groove a little. The track talks about how he’s willing to not be her forever, but he’s willing to be the tune up. He’ll be the bad guy to make him look better, even though she doesn’t know exactly who it is, yet. You can let him be the closer / I can be the set up man
Symptoms
This song has a very heavy jazz influence to it, almost Sinatra-esque. It sounds more like a song for a smokey club, than on a country album. Dawson describes falling in love with the girl as like catching a disease; his lack of sleep and other things are symptoms of it, and there’s no cure. Don’t need saving, D.N.R / I’ve been cravin’ / More and more
I Don’t Care Who Sees
I Don’t Care Who Sees is a great love song. Dawson again pivots back to a modern country sound. It’s about occasionally crossing the PDA line to let everyone else in the room know just how in love you are with each other. The track also subtly builds the entire time to represent the couple in the songs intensity is also building throughout the night. I don’t care, I don’t care / I ain’t tryin to spotlight / Yeah, all I’m sayin’ is, we ain’t gotta hide it
Secondhand Hurt
One of the most relatable songs on the album if you’ve been the one that ended a relationship, and found yourself wondering why you’re hurting when you made the choice. Dawson describes this feeling as his Secondhand Hurt. It’s a great, slow, reflective track. Nobody told me how hard it is / To be the breaker / I’ve always only been the broken
Placebo
Another track with strong influences, this time it’s pop. Placebo focuses on the revelation that a relationship is just a stop-gap to get over a past love. This song exemplifies one of Dawson’s best traits, using upbeat melodies to address somber topics. Livin’ with that thought / Is a bitter sugar pill for me to swallow / But it’s all I got
War Paint
War Paint is a dark, rockin’ song about a girl getting revenge on her ex-lover. She’s getting dressed up to go out and find someone new, but she’s on a mission. This track has definitive rock influences, and it works perfect with the subject matter. No, she ain’t leavin’ / Cause she’s already gone / The battlelines are drawn.</i
I Can’t Trust Myself
Another song that isn’t typical “country”, but that Dawson kills. He makes the dangerous move of getting a drink with an ex, and is worried about what will happens after the next drink. Both of them seem to realize it’s a bad idea, but neither of them seem to want to stop. We’re not drunk enough to think this is right / You should go home to yours, and I should go home to mine
Prison
This is my favorite song on the album. It starts with a slow arpeggiated guitar, but by the middle of the first verse it starts absolutely rocking. Prison goes all out for TIME and then goes out just as softly as it came in. Just like love prison Dawson sings about you can get out for a while, but you’ll always come back in. Girl, you’re my judge, my jury, my executioner / No other way I’d have it babe / I’m your prisoner, yeah, I’m your prisoner
Dark Horse
The album ends with its title track, Dark Horse. Dawson has said in interviews that this is the most personal song on the album, and his introduction to the fans. If the debut album is any indication, Devin Dawson won’t be a dark horse much longer, and is set for a great career. I ain’t no white knight / I’m a little more, dark horse.
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