duncan Daniels - Art Of Me

Duncan Daniels

Art Of Me
Dunkishrock Productions; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

No one can accuse Duncan Daniels of making homogeneous albums. Daniels is the type of artist who is willing to take chances when it comes to experimenting with genres. On his third album Art Of Me Daniels flirts with genres such as hip-hop/pop/rock and even a little country. The biggest hurdle when creating an album  that jumps from genre to genre is making it seem fluid and cohesive. In recent years you have seen acts like Sleigh Bells successfully do this. In the case of Daniels he more often than not  plays into one particular genre for a song as oppossed to mixing them into the same song. 

The album starts with a track entitled “Superstars (feat. Mackgee)” which has music that actually sounds like Sleigh Bells. Daniels combines a hard hitiing hip-hop beat with electric guitars and various synths. The vocals are aggressive and delivered with authority. It’s a great track too turn up loud at the club.

“Way to Your Heart (feat. Demi Grace)” is arguably the higlight of the album and another track that would sound good on a Saturday night. Daniels implements auto-tune as an effect and combines lead synths with deep beat.

“Blindly In Love” is where Daniels really starts getting into different territory. The music is guitar driven and song itself could be considered pop/rock. I was taken back when I heard “Beautiful”. The songs is sparse revolving around a piano and a couple of pads as Daniels sings in a way that is pretty much the opposite of what you hear on the first track.

“Love Song” is ballad that is soulful and feels rooted in 90’s r&b. It's slighty “cheesy” but in a good way. Daniels closes with "Celebration" which is an appropriate name for the track. The song is an upbeat fist pounder that gets your adreniline and serotinin pumping.

Daniels ability to produce tracks that feel disparate from each other might be a double edged sword. People who attracted to one song might not feel the same way about another. That being said Daniels proves on “Art Of Me” that he not only has the chops to pull of the styles he attempts but also proves he isn’t a one trick pony.  

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