DB Kinney – Out of Daylight – Single Review

New England-based singer-songwriter DB Kinney has been a musician for most of his life, starting his career at the age of just 15. After performing with a variety of projects, about four years ago Kinney joined forces with Brandon Novak (drums) to further develop his signature indie-rock sound. Novak accompanies Kinney both in live performances as well as in the studio.

“I’m just trying to be myself, create music that’s genuine.” – DB Kinney

Kinney’s most recent recorded work is a single called Out of Daylight, released in advance of a forthcoming album of the same name. Distance between Kinney and Novak did not stop them from collaborating on this album. The two never worked on this project in the same room – rather, they sent demos and recordings back and forth to each other and built the music completely digitally. And if this first single is any indicator of what the rest of the album holds, our expectations are high – this single is a dynamic, infectious track that blends quality musicianship with high-level compositional skills.

The melodic verse riff and accompanying minor bassline grab the ear right away in Out of Daylight. Strong throughout the track – but especially present in the beginning – are the well-composed instrument lines. They’re remarkable in their own right – a piece of the compositional puzzle too often ignored in this genre today. The overall arrangement is smart too, and it builds well – the vocal harmonies adding a stunning richness to the chorus that makes each of their appearances a standout moment on this work.

But the lead vocals and main melody are a highlight of this single. Kinney’s voice feels perfectly matched to the acoustic alternative timbre of the track; strong, warm, and honest. The melody is a bit nostalgic, bringing to mind the kind of alt-rock that dominated the scene in the early 2000s. This is the kind of song you’ll find playing in your head long after it’s over thanks to the catchy and instantly memorable melodic writing.

The lyrics in this track suit it incredibly well. They’re a perfect blend of poetic and accessible, specific enough to bring images to mind but suggestive enough to let you fill in the gaps with your own life experiences. The chorus is perhaps the most compelling piece of lyric work, combining a strong hook with a touch of artistic, symbolic flair:

“Have you run out of daylight on your own
Feeling the tide pulling home
You’ve run out of daylight all alone
But nothing stops me getting on“

DB Kinney tells us that of all the subgenres of rock music that he could be labeled with, he prefers to be considered an indie rock artist. We’re inclined to emphatically agree with that designation. Out of Daylight is an absolutely solid indie rock track, with strong melodies and modern rock and pop influences that will allow it to resonate with an impressively wide variety of audiences. If this particular brand of acoustic-centric alt music is for you and you happen to be in the New England area, check out DB Kinney‘s upcoming live dates here. Otherwise, be on the lookout for the full-length album Out of Daylight coming soon.

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BELOW: Listen to Out of Daylight and connect with his website and social media platforms, check out his live show/tour schedule, and find his booking & contact information. Please support DB Kinney by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!

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