It’s been awhile since I featured new music releases. In addition to Throwback Weekends, lately I’ve been spending a lot of time on artists of the 60s and 70s.
I had hoped to have a new Lana Del Rey album to sink my teeth into by now but that one keeps getting delayed. Instead, I’ll give a listen to recent releases by Lorde, Haim, Jason Isbell, and Lady Gaga, among others.
But before all that, I want to spend a week highlighting a new release by an artist who is special to this blog: Daniel Gallup. Daniel is a frequent commenter and occasional guest blogger, and has been a featured artist on several occasions. And now, the talented singer-songwriter who hails from Hollywood, Florida, has a new EP available where you get your music.
The five-track EP is titled Just Daniel, and I’ll feature each of its songs this week.
Opening track ‘Just Say’ starts things off with exuberant synths before the drums kick in and launch us into the catchy chorus. So begins a song that I think owes a lot to early Maroon 5 (which is my favorite Maroon 5).
‘Just Say’ is about a blossoming romance, or at least a late-night flirtation that has the promise of something more. While the lyrics suggest a genuine attempt at deeper connection, I like that the music cuts the other way, exuding a slick vibe that makes you want to keep dancing at that club.
Note: I invite Daniel to chime in via the comments this week to tell us as much or as little as he’d like about each of these songs. It’s not often I have access to the featured artist.
Trying to get you away
Now I feel that there’s something
Now we’re standing face to face
So if you really want me
We should stop playing games
If you wanna finish what we started
Honestly this dancing’s getting somewhat monotonous
I wish we could get out of here and past all the nonsense
These people breathing ’round me
Feels the air’s getting toxic
Don’t mean to sound obnoxious
I think it’s somewhat obvious
If these prying eyes from stupid guys makes you feel self-conscious
Then let’s get out of here and slip into something a bit more honest
If these social situations for you tend to be bubonic
Let our intimacy be the tonic
You got it
I’ve been taking all evening
Trying to get you away
Now I feel that there’s something
Now we’re standing face to face
So if you really want me
We should stop playing games
If you wanna finish what we started
Baby, just say
Baby, just say
They always say that two wrongs don’t make a right
But I’ve messed up twice tonight
I feel just fine
In fact, I feel like flying
I’m having the time of my life
Take a chance and we’re dancing our fingers intertwined
She asked me
Do you believe in love at first sight
I said no, but I think that we could have fun tonight
And we could make this love worth it
It could get better in time
But this moment is perfect
To waste it would be a crime
I’ve been taking all evening
Trying to get you away
Now I feel that there’s something
Now we’re standing face to face
So if you really want me
We should stop playing games
If you wanna finish what we started
Baby, just say
Baby, just say
Can we break it down for a minute
I just wanna take it down
Away from the crowd
See you in a different setting
The tone, the mood, the purpose and the characters are ready
Let’s open a new chapter
Think we know where this is heading
We’ve got the rising action
Think the climax is impending
No more foreshadowing
I’m ready for the ending
Baby, just say
Baby, just say
Baby, just say
If you wanna finish what we started
Baby
Meet Me In Montauk 
Aw, thank you for featuring Daniel’s new EP. It warms the heart of this frequent commenter and always loving father of my uber-talented son!❤️
Looking forward to the upcoming features on Haim and Jason Isbell, an album recommended to me by today’s featured artist.
what I always appreciate about Daniel’s songs is how he weaves in a word like “bubonic” you don’t typically hear in a pop song and makes it sound like it belongs there.
I’m also always a fan of songs like Costello’s “Everyday I Wrote the Book” that use writing metaphors to reflect on relationships, and this one has a beauty in its closing verse.
Wonderful way to start a new week! Looking forward to hearing and reading the beautiful lyrics of Daniel’s songs. He is so talented and I’m not just saying this because he is my Grandson ❤️❤️
Honored to be featured on my favorite music blog! I always look to your writing to provide me with insights and a deeper appreciation of artists I love or maybe haven’t yet heard of. So, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on this EP and, perhaps, discover something I hadn’t even thought of myself!
Your take on the opener, “Just Say”, is right on the money. Songs About Jane by Maroon 5 is my favorite album so it is extremely gratifying to have a song of mine compared to them. This is likely the song that while writing I was most excited envisioning what the fully produced version would sound like!
I anticipated that its final product could bare a resemblance to something you might find on the B-Side of Maroon 5’s debut album. However, I loved working alongside my producer Lucas Kohen to flesh out details such as the synth driven intro that borrows more from a Bruno Mars or Michael Jackson!
It’s a good fortune and joy that the friends who I made this EP with are such talented musicians that inspire me with their playing. Mack Tracy’s incredible drum playing provided the backbeat for this record and Lucas Kohen’s guitar solo takes it to a whole other level!
I’m excited to explore this EP through your eyes throughout this week and appreciate you taking the time to give a thorough listen and review!
What a great week 🙂
Excited to hear all your thoughts on this EP, I’m a fan!
I love hearing early Maroon 5 influence in Daniel Gallup’s work. And this production really brought an already catchy song to another level.