Review: "Sometimes" - Dylan Dunlap

Dylan Dunlap has gifted us a solemn summertime hit. "Sometimes" paints a picture of what it's like to love someone who's toxic for you. We can grasp the gut wrenching feeling of sacrificing our happiness and health for someone who seems to take advantage of us. There are many solid lines throughout the song, one of my personal favorites comes at the very beginning when it says, "Sometimes / I lied / When I said I love you / I meant I'm scared of you." There's a level of rawness being portrayed by the artist. We're seeing the exposed version of themselves, which helps us better understand the situation. Another smashing line comes towards the end of the song, it says, "Shadows and sunbeams / And pages of nothing / The truth was harder than the lie / The truth was darker than the night." Here, we, as the listener can grasp the seriousness behind the lyrics. A common consensus can be reached that the relationship has become toxic, and there's a need to be free of the person/relationship.

The tonality and mood of this piece are very similar. When evaluated you can easily come to the conclusion that the tone is rather melancholic and contemplative. Conflict is very present within the song. Having a tone that can pull the mood into the piece cohesively, adding to the conflicted feeling's, is exceptional and unique. This bleeds into the mood which is tense and introspective. It's a self evaluation of human emotions, the tension that affects them, and how to balance everything at once. The instrumentation plays a huge role in bringing the song finality, or a finished touch to tie the song together. We encounter a mellowed indie-pop fusion, bringing tense beats, layered rhythms, and percussive guitar. Each layer connects to the lyrics in a powerful way, adding more emotional depth. The tense beats contribute and create a more emotionally driven pace, where the guitar adds the familiar sound of a beating heart making it seem more personal to the listener. Each element flows smoothly, creating an intricately woven, yet impactful song.

Dunlap nurtured his passion for music at a young age, teaching himself piano at the age of 6 so he could participate in a school talent show. Since then he's pursued his career to the fullest hitting many milestones. Dylan Dunlap, being inspired by artists such as Coldplay and Mumford & Sons, released his debut EP in 2019 titled "Things I Can't Explain." The EP was a hit, launching him even further into the musical realm. He's toured across the U.S. and U.K., surpassing 20 million streams, and supported OneRepublic at a sold out show in Utah. The song "Sometimes" is part of his upcoming album entitled "BROOKLYNITE." Show Dylan Dunlap some love and listen to his new song. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the release of his new album as well. You won't want to miss it!

Written By Destiny Rundquist

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