Dozenz – Daylight (Album Review)

The upcoming album by UAE songwriter and producer Dozenz has proved to be a collection of feel-good high-energy jams, with the artist showing his versatility by collaborating with a variety of singers and talent, allowing for multiple vocal colours to shine throughout the album.

With several sneak-peeks at the 2024 13 track album being revealed to fans through multiple singles releases last year, listeners have no doubt delighted in the knowledge of these musical gems soon heading their way.

The opening track ‘Daylight’ features a bubbly 80s synth rock instrumental underneath a spirited and carefree vocal line by guest vocalist, R. ‘Daylight’ expresses the joy of living in the moment, lyrics such as “It feels so good, I can’t stop now” perfectly encompassing the feeling of euphoria condensed in this track. The song’s brightly playful combination of electronic music and indie rock makes it instantly catchy and immediately repeatable, serving to whet the appetite of listeners and prepare them for the euphonious blend of alternative rock to follow.

The album’s standout track ‘Senseless’ comes immediately after with a truly thrilling mix of alt-rock and cinematic flair often characteristic of American cinematic rock band Starset’s space rock epics. Guest vocalist Ethan Cronin is the perfect match for the track’s spellbinding electric guitar base; his rough yet painfully expressive vocal performance lending ‘Senseless’ a mesmerisingly romantic edge that will doubtless leave listeners in a daze of wonder and enchantment.

Sensitive and beautifully delivered lyrics such as “I don’t know what I’m feeling, I’m hooked on what you’re dealing” and “your love’s leaving me senseless” wonderfully emulate the hypnotising charm of this track, while also expressing the feeling many will have upon succumbing to the undeniably addictive quality of this beautiful track.

In an industry saturated with repetitive and unoriginal takes on love and its all-encompassing effects, there is rarely material that completely inspires and excites both the ear and the heart like that of ‘Senseless’.

The 3rd track, ‘Say My Name’, again features the vocal talents of Ethan Cronin, this time in a surging string-led rock jam. The energy in this track is ramped up by its rushing tempo and driving drum beat. The mixing of the song is of stellar quality, as is the colourful vocal mix of Cronin’s powerfully dynamic voice. The track almost plays out like a dramatic race; the furious back-and-forth between Cronin, a lively electric guitar and fast-paced strings accumulating in a climax that is exhilarating to hear play out.

After the confidently swaggering rock appeal of ‘Lie To Love You’, ‘Chasing Tigers’ is the next welcome surprise on ‘Daylight’. Originally released on the single ‘Senseless’ in April 2023, the song features vocalist J Fitz, who is blessed with a bluesy and soulful croon, and adopts a more laidback but equally as stimulating mix of slow-burn alt rock. From the start J Fitz stuns with a voice that demands attention and adds a wonderful sense of sincerity as he voices the lines “Cause I’m a fool chasing tigers, chasing dreams”. With a minimalistic instrumental, Dozenz gives the singer ample room to cast bittersweet images in the listener’s mind through his affectingly expressive vocals.

There is a fascinating sense of versatility that Dozenz captures in each of his tracks; his seamless choice of vocalists allowing for many different emotions and sensibilities to be immortalised in an impressive catalogue of work. ‘Chasing Tigers’ is a crucial example of this, and serves as a breath of fresh air in the middle of the album that audiences will delight in.

The following tracks ‘Holding On For Life’ and ‘No Talking’ vamp up the album’s thrilling combinations of poppy synths and addictively pronounced beats. While ‘Holding On For Life’ embraces a groovy and stirring synth intro that bubbles excitedly beneath the track, the 90s dance inspired ‘No Talking’ adopts a more introspective tone; lines like “Words are worthless, no talking” create a mysterious and mystical vibe that throws listeners deeper into the euphoric throes of ‘Daylight’.

8th track ‘Paydirt’ is an eclectic instrumental mix of funk, strings and synths. Beginning with a mournful string arrangement that soon shifts to a rousing drum beat accompanied by a deliciously funky bass riff, the song both surprises and enchants in its diverse mixture of genres and is sure to get audiences tapping their feet in the midst of its infectious rhythm.

After the contagious beats of earlier tracks, the beautifully poignant songs ‘Pick Yourself Up’ and ‘Young Tomorrow’ enter with a flourish. Containing a moving message encouraging listeners to push on through hardship instead of admitting defeat, the lyrics of ‘Pick Yourself Up’ shift from expressing vulnerability and weakness (“It all falls apart”) to hopeful resolutions (“Don’t give in, we can still have it all”). Its a heartfelt song with a great sentiment that everyone needs to hear once in a while.

As for ‘Young Tomorrow’, the song’s combination of electronica, alt rock and Cronin’s recognisably gritty vocals help elevate this track to heights that spark joy and freedom in the listener. Cronin’s provoking execution of the line “Oh God knows how I’ve tried…” lends the track an infectiously hopeful edge to its already cheerful tone.

Both the warm positivity of ‘Color Without Design’, a piano-led electro-rock anthem that sounds like the audio equivalent of jumping for joy, and ‘Daylight [Reprise]’ with its poppy alt-rock charm help to round off an album that audiences will be replaying time and time again.

The enormity of ‘Senseless (Arena Version)’ seems like the perfect note on which to end an album that promises a whirlwind journey through alt rock highs and bluesy lows, and inspires more than a few thrills and goosebump-worthy moments.

Score/Excellent: Dozenz does more than deliver an album worth waiting for, he succeeds in bringing his love of rock and everything between to the table; culminating in listening material that is at times even breathtaking. Mark my words, ‘Daylight’ should mark the road to superstardom for Dozenz.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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