Newcomer Devin Dawson released his 12-track debut album ‘Dark Horse’ this past Friday, January 19th. The singer-songwriter’s unorthodox method of country music is refreshing the genre and continuing to breathe life into the pop and R&B crossover that has been on the rise. Dawson co-wrote all twelve of the tracks, alongside many other great writers.
1) ‘Dip’ – Written by Luke Laird, Barry Dean, and Devin Dawson.
Impression: The interlude of the opening song draws you in and takes you on a journey, literally. Fans can hear Dawson getting out of a car, coughing, and giving someone a handshake before transitioning into the song. This leaves it up for interpretation on where he’s going – perhaps to a show or the studio? ‘Dip’ is a strong song with a great beat and is one of Dawson’s best songs of the album.
Favorite Lyrics: Tiptoe to I know where, on the same page tonight. You and the gettin’ gone, girl I’m catching on cause baby I’ve been reading your lips…
2) ‘All On Me’ – Written by Austin Taylor Smith, Jacob Durrett and Devin Dawson.
Impression: The debut single that has quickly stolen the hearts and ears of many is song number two. It’s a cute sentiment of being able to bear the weight of your significant other, no matter what it is – “put it all on me!”
Favorite Lyrics: I wanna hear all your fears and troubles, strip it down really get to know one another…
3) ‘Asking for A Friend’ – Written by Brett Beavers, Connie Harrington, and Devin Dawson.
Impression: Slower tempos and sensual vibes take ahold of this song. In a clever way of singing about a guy meeting a girl in a bar, Dawson asks the girl if she’d let a guy buy her drink. At the end of saying very nice things to her and about the said-guy, he says he’s just “just asking for a friend.” The story unfolds and, it turns out, they had been together but he messed up and lost her. The moral of the song is him wanting to know if she would take him back.
Favorite Lyrics: Yeah what if I told you he hadn’t slept in weeks, he was standing right here in front of you instead of me. Is there any way you could ever love him again?
4) ‘Second to Last’ – Written by Mark Trussell, Laura Veltz, and Devin Dawson.
Impression: ‘Second To Last’ is a catchy song with an opposing view of his aforementioned ‘All On Me.’ Instead of putting the weight on him, whether it be a phone call, being mad, or making her happy; this girl wants this guy to be nowhere near her heart. She asks a lot from him but she doesn’t ever put him first; he’s her second to last choice.
Favorite Lyrics: Girl I’ll be your second to last. You can let him have the glory, and I’ll be watching from the stands.
5) ‘Symptoms’ – Written by Austin Smith and Devin Dawson.
Impression: Sensuality, jazziness, R&B, and catchiness – this song has the potential to be a hit! Dawson’s voice is showcased in the best way possible. There is really nothing more to say other than that this song is going to be a popular one, just see for yourself.
Favorite Lyrics: I started losing sleep, couldn’t catch a wink, high fever in the sheets, knees getting weak…
6) ‘I Don’t Care Who Sees’ – Written by Austin Smith, Devin Dawson, Jacob Durrett, and Jake Mitchell.
Impression: Dawson shed insight that this was the first song they recorded. The inspiration came from a couple Dawson saw at the bar unapologetically making-out, and that’s where the title came from. Devin refers to this song as “relentless” because there is hardly any instrumental breaks and the groove is constantly changing each time to make the lyrics have their own moments.
Favorite Lyrics: A crowded room don’t mean a thing and I don’t mean to cause a scene. If you want to we can leave but girl, right now, I don’t care who sees…
7) ‘Secondhand Hurt’ – Written by Will Bowen and Devin Dawson.
Impression: ‘Secondhand Hurt’ is a different spin on a heartbreak song. This song was inspired by true events that Dawson and his co-writer, Will Bowen, were going through at that moment. Despite being the ones to call it quits with their girlfriends, why were they feeling heartbroken?
Favorite Lyrics: I didn’t see this coming, when I let you go. I didn’t think it’d be this hard getting over you…
8) ‘Placebo’ – Written by David Hodges, Jordan Reynolds. and Devin Dawson.
Impression: With a funky beat that mimics the sound of Gavin DeGraw with guitars and drums shining through, ‘Placebo’ is an upbeat song that will get you dancing and singing with just one listen. A girl has him love sick and he needs something to kick his “illness.” He hasn’t been able to get rid of his craving, even by being with someone else that he thinks is love – but really it’s just a “placebo.”
Favorite Lyrics: Girl you’ve got me dying but I’m hiding it from another laying next to me. Can’t help it that everytime I think where did we go?
9) ‘War Paint’ – Written by Chris DuBois, Clint Lagerberg, and Devin Dawson.
Impression: This song is essentially about cheating and how to get even with the person who cheated. With definite rock and hip/hop undertones, Dawson turns it up a notch with this song with high intensity and animosity streaming throughout. The war paint in this song is a woman’s makeup as she gets ready to go out and find someone to cheat on her cheating partner with – the irony!
Favorite Lyrics: Nah she, she ain’t leaving cause that won’t hurt enough. Yeah she’ll get even if it’s the last thing that she does…
10) ‘I Can’t Trust Myself’ – Written by Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Jillian Jacqueline, and Devin Dawson.
Impression: On this track, Dawson’s voice sounds as if it’s being played on a radio. ‘I Can’t Trust Myself’ has a Sade sound with a twist of fast paced tempos. It’s a great piece of the album.
Favorite Lyrics: I keep thinking about you thinking it too. I couldn’t stop myself from doing what I want to do to you. I can’t trust myself…
11) ‘Prison’ – Written by Josh Kerr, Seth Ennis, and Devin Dawson.
Impression: Rocker tones with hard hitting lyrics and instrumentals take hold of Dawson’s song ‘Prison.’ It depicts a love that is so strong, one can’t escape it no matter how hard they try. It’s the worse kind of “jail time” the person has ever done and everyday they are living a ‘life sentence.’
Favorite Lyrics: Couldn’t run, couldn’t hide even if I tried. Girl I know you would find me and I’d wind up back in it. Your love is like a prison.
12) ‘Dark Horse’ – Written by Andy Albert and Devin Dawson.
Impression: In a completely stripped down and raw song, Dawson hits us with some honest truth about himself. With subtle guitars and mainly Devin’s voice cutting through the noise, this song wraps around you as you listen to it. It mesmerizes you and you can’t turn away.
Favorite Lyrics: No, I don’t go to church, can’t quote a bible verse, I couldn’t sing a song but that don’t mean that I don’t talk to Jesus…