DYLN NOT DVPO – MISSING – Album Review

DYLN NOT DVPO (a.k.a. Dylan Daponte) is kickstarting his phenomenal new musical project with a concept-rich double album based on a true story, entitled MISSING. Featuring 26 quickfire tracks, this deep, dark, and dream-like hip-hop/rap record wraps itself around the raw sensation of feeling “present but unseen, emotionally missing even when you’re physically here,” as told in Dylan’s own words. But, despite the detachment of its title, “MISSING isn’t about disappearing fully,” as Dylan reveals. “It’s about searching. Searching for meaning, faith, self-worth and identity in a world that constantly tells you who you should be.” Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

A clean break from the stereotypes of his genre, DYLN delivers an album of raw, emotional depth. True artistry manifests through his genre-crossing backdrop: elements of jazz and soul intertwine with new-school hip-hop and pop, glazed with synths, strings, samples, guitar solos, and countless other oddities of production – each woven into DYLN’s authentic and absolutely addictive record. You don’t need to be a rap fan to sink into DYLN’s contagious vibe. This is an album that will have you nodding to each infectious beat, swooning to the ultra-personal lyrics, and wondering why you’ve never explored this genre before.

Opening on a voicemail left to an estranged father, DYLN NOT DVPO plunges straight into the deep end with Track 2, “Last Time It Hurt” – an intimate snapshot of struggle which builds its gripping intensity from its ballad-like intro to its explosive, quirky, sub-bass finale.

“Try To Be” laces vibrant R&B melodies into its mix, with an overall vibe like that of a chart-topper. Tackling introspective themes of self-betterment and belief after plummeting to a personal rock-bottom, an air of melancholy in the face of life-altering upheaval emerges, topped with powerfully resonant lyrics, including: “I wish I could stop tryna be picture perfect and instead paint a perfect picture on this blank canvas.”

“Alone, Together” – one of Dylan’s personal faves on the album – brings manic desperation to the forefront, its vocals steeped in forlorn frenzy in the endless search for hope. Meanwhile, the initial orchestral themes of “I Need This Talk” decay under synthetic distortions, transforming into a full-power, club-like hit as DYLN reconsiders broken relationships, faith, and his flaking sanity through artfully expletive lyrics.

“Lirr Breakfast” unfolds like a diary entry, simmering into the beat-laced piano ballad, “Brok’n,” which tackles a near-suicidal perspective on starting anew. Themes of addiction, alcoholism and homelessness surface through the entirety of MISSING’s first half, detailed with the art of reconnecting with all that’s been lost or discarded during the darkest days of one’s life; the sheer desperation to recover and reclaim a future that’s been abandoned.

“Collapse” ingeniously casts itself in double-vision; “Time Heals” conjures a cinematic soundscape beneath its fear of lost and wasted years, before DYLN’s first featured artist, Elcamino, makes waves on “Watch Close” – a song of complex friendships and fighting demons in the battle for personal growth.

As a double album, Disc One closes on title track, “Missing,” complemented by a black and white music video. But while Disc One “lives in isolation, self-doubt, addiction, faith and survival, playing like a downward spiral told through voicemails, confessions and moments where things almost end,” Disc Two recharges one’s willpower through its concepts of “aftermath, ego, ambition, recklessness, confidence and the realisation that success doesn’t automatically bring peace,” as Dylan tells us himself. Together, a continuous story transpires; one crafted with relatability, wisdom and a rare sense of encouragement for listeners, no matter what their own story may be.

Disc Two’s opening track, “The Show Goes On” epitomises change through its title; its motivated, self-assured lyrics capturing a clean break from past mentality. Artists KCX and HOWE feature on “Disrespect” – a sub-bass track tangled with a vivid melodic hook and lightning-fast lyrical delivery, serving both suspense and self-belief.

“Approval”’s addictive sense of rhyme and reason cascades into a voicemail skit, capturing the rawest of realities. While Dylan reveals that “recording MISSING was intense and uncomfortable in the best way,” his voicemail skits were recorded “to feel invasive and real, like messages you weren’t meant to hear”; each delivering an exquisite slice of pure artistry which adds context between his hip-hop hits.

In fact, MISSING isn’t simply an intimate listen – it’s a transparent glimpse into Dylan’s psyche. As Dylan tells us, “A lot of the vocals were done in emotional states I didn’t try to clean up. Some songs were written quickly in moments of clarity, others took weeks due to emotional states.” And the payoff is absolutely exceptional.

“Fast Life” clears the thunderstorms of Disc One to serve a radio-ready hit with an uplift, while “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” dabbles in the lyrical staples of rap music, marking a return to reality. Artists Empfourty, Snacks and KCX appear on “Okay” – a trap-beat track with a sinister, dingy vibe like stalking the city streets at midnight.

The distinction between Disc One and Two’s mentalities becomes striking on “Do Better,” as DYLN reconsiders past themes from a fresh and fearless perspective. “Time Of My Life” continues weaving new-found positivity through its darkened club soundscape (a brilliant contrast), before closing track “Where We Going” strikes like another radio anthem, its assertive aura tailored with delectable, oddball samples.

That’s a whole lot of good stuff. But who is MISSING intended for? As Dylan divulges, “This album is for anyone who’s felt overlooked, underestimated, or lost while still pushing forward. But also for people who are in a good place in life, and have been through some stuff to get there.” So, basically, everyone and anyone who isn’t afraid to face their true selves.

While MISSING is the first album released by DYLN NOT DVPO, it’s certainly not the debut album from the man behind the music. You may recall Dylan Deponte from his alternate project, Dapo (later transformed into ‘DVPO’) and his previous albums, HOUSE OF MIRRORS and KING, which Dylan credits as laying the groundwork for the themes explored in MISSING.

Curious where DYLN NOT DVPO’s cryptic name comes from? We’ll let the artist reveal their inspiration in their own words: “The name DYLN NOT DVPO represents a separation between who I am as a person and who I’m becoming as an artist. It’s a reminder that the version of me people think they know isn’t the full picture, and that evolution is unavoidable.” Cool, huh?

This reviewer fell head-over-heels in love with this record, and is awarding it the stamp: spiritually, physically, positively, absolutely, undeniably and reliably Recommended!

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BELOW: Listen to DYLN NOT DVPO and check out his music on Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube Music and more. Please support DYLN NOT DVPO by visiting his website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.