Cliques, it’s what you learn to identify with not only during high school, but you’re entire life. Yes, labeling isn’t how you’re supposed to live your life. You’re supposed to be an “individual,” but if you’re breathing, hey…You’re part of something. The same goes with musical acts. When you record an album, you’re part of a greater group called “musical artist,” then your style clumps you into an even smaller group and so forth and so on. Declaring a love for big booty hoes will likely make you a rapper, heartache and cattle is clearly Country and entertaining repetitions that are addictive? That’s pop. So when it came time to pop on Daniel J. W!shington’s Qalqulated, I was lost. It was as if he were the kid in school who was the theater nerd and the quarterback. The music was never the same one track to the next and in the end I had to label Qalqulated a pop record that took chances.
Daniel J. looks like Mac Miller but when it came to “Giving Me My Hand” I would’ve thought he looked like a member of fun. or that Mika guy because that’s what that song sounded like. It was this theatrical track that played like an epic number on Glee with a hint of Hip Hop tossed in. The other two tracks had one huge similarity. “Glisten And Wither” and “Stealing” both had a lot going on in the background that made them seem chaotic at times. “Glisten And Wither” had that talk sing thing going on. So if Max Bemis of Say Anything ever decided to take a major anti-depressant and move on to lighter music, it’d sound like “Glisten And Wither.”
When it comes down to it, Daniel J. W!shington’s Qalqulated isn’t so different that it’s in a class of its own because it can be likened to other artists, but it was one crazy and interesting musical ride. If you are looking for an album that’s probably a little different than most of what’s playing on your iTunes right now, and have a soft spot for pop-like music, then check out Daniel J. W!shington’s Qalqulated, out February 19th.
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