Dawes - We're All Gonna Die


Dawes
We're All Gonna Die
2016
Spotify

Dawes really made their mark in the folk rock scene by keeping their California cool style well intact. Their instrumentation and singing ability is undeniable and on this new record We're All Gonna Die they push more toward the middle, but do not sacrifice any of themselves to do so. This is no easy feat, for most bands moving towards the middle means giving up whatever street cred they may have had in a push for some more ears. Instead Dawes just add some more spring to their music, splashier acoustic bigger sounds. It works great, really great, giving the listener just enough folk to keep them grounded but keeping the door open to explore throughout the record. The Organ on "Picture Of A Man" adds this real funky element while still keeping it light an fun. We're All Gonna Die feels really hip, but not in a modern and new way but in a very classic sense. This record feels like one that can hang around for a long time even if at the moment it is not setting the world on fire. Dawes continue to just slug away putting out good album after good album.

What has really changed on this record is Dawes' approach to existential crisis. The past the band would go deep, get dark and really try to hash these issues out through their music. Almost seven years on since their first album however it seems that Dawes is now more adept to either drink or dance it all away. We all might come to this conclusion after trying to slog through life and ending up with the same answers time after time. "Roll Tide" becomes a surrogate for saying "alright man, good luck with that" on the track and the sweet song exposes how much Dawes like to wink at the Universe. There are times where the pop psychology and introspection of the album feel a bit base level, yet they still manage to connect. We're All Gonna Die asks the question, because this is the case what do we do now? For Dawes the answer is clear: personal reflection and allowing yourself to let it all loose every once and awhile. Words to live by.

7.9 out of 10

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