Based in Houston, TX, rock artist Starliner (AKA Dillan Dostál) has been pursuing musical aspirations for most of his life. He’s been touring with successful bands since a young age – most notably Texas rock outfit The Drugstore Gypsies. In advance of his new EP titled 20/20, Dostál has released the single Never Satisfied, and it clearly shows that all of his years of dedication to his craft have paid off. This track is a collection of exquisite guitar playing, high-level production choices, and genuine vocal skill.
This is a fun, uptempo rock and roll number that should resonate with a wide variety of fans in the genre. The addition of the synthesizers add a bit of an 80’s feel, but the guitar playing (especially in the solo section) keeps it firmly grounded in more classic rock tones. It’s modern in production but feels timeless in execution.
One of the high points of this track is the excellent vocal performance. Dostál’s voice seems to fall somewhere between Patrick Stump and Chad Kroeger in terms of tone. It’s a bright, powerful, and gritty vocal performance that lends authenticity to the song. Despite the track maintaining a lighthearted feel throughout, you can hear the emotion in his vocals that makes the message all the more believable.
And speaking of the message, it’s another highlight here – this song is truly motivational while still feeling genuine. This is the kind of song you can run to, dance to, and get energized by. We particularly like the message at the end of the second verse:
“You’ll always say that you’ll start someday, someday’s coming fast, so turn it on, before the sun goes down on us.”
The melodies are instantly catchy – it’s effortlessly easy to find yourself singing along to the woahs at the beginning of the chorus after the very first time you’ve heard the song. The break in instrumentation for the a cappella chorus towards the end of the track is a nice touch, as the group vocals help to add the electricity of a live performance feel.
Overall, Never Satisfied is a phenomenal showing of talent by Starliner. This single has us seriously looking forward to the EP release scheduled for later in the year. With flawless production choices, a great message with infectious energy, and a killer vocal performance to tie it all together, there’s nothing not to love here for the modern rock fan.
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BELOW: Listen to Never Satisfied and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Starliner 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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