With such a dedicated following and polished sound, it’s hard to believe this is almost monday’s first album.
Hailing from San Diego, California, the band began releasing music in 2020 with their single “Parking Lot View,” which currently has over 13 million streams. Four years later, the indie pop trio have released their debut album ‘DIVE’ to massive acclaim.
‘DIVE’ opens with a one-minute introduction track of the same name. Its melodic, restful sound is reminiscent of 1960s surf jazz. “Dive” introduces listeners to the album in a dreamscape as it leads into the beachy, indie rock sound fans of almost monday have come to know and love.
“Is It Too Late?” is the second track on the album. Leader singer Dawson Daughtery sings of a past relationship, directly addressing the ex throughout the song. The first verse begins: “I found your earring in the back of my car/Got me thinking, wondering where you are.”
In the song, Daughtery showcases his mastery of his lower register. Along with Daughtery, each member of almost monday is truly a master of their craft – Cole Clisby has mastered multi-genre guitar chords and Luke Fabry has become an expert at blending such varying rhythms together in one piece.
‘DIVE’ maintains the upbeat indie alternative rhythms of the mid 2010s while blending the sounds of 2020s bedroom pop and surf rock. The fifth track on the album, “She Likes Sports,” is a prime example of the album’s genre-transcending sound.
Complete with a catchy chorus and vivid lyrics, “She Likes Sports” follows the album’s themes of love and heartbreak but uses dance pop rhythms to build on the joy that comes from a crush. The song personifies the dating game and the feeling of chasing a crush as a sport – it’s sure to be stuck in your head.
The album slows down a bit on track eight titled “Tidal Wave.” Sonically, it’s reminiscent of the early Surf Curse. The lyrics detail the excitement that comes from a new partner; it lives in the honeymoon days of a relationship. As the lyrics explain the trajectory of the relationship, the instrumentals gradually increase in pace to create an empathetic feeling between the listener and singer.
Several of the tracks on ‘DIVE’ were released prior to the album. The ninth song “Sunburn” was released in April 2022 and is the band’s second most streamed song of all time, coming in at just over 33,000,000 listens on Spotify.
‘DIVE’ closes with the heartfelt, guitar-heavy “Life Goes By.” The song transports listeners to warm thoughts and afternoons spent on the beach as the lyrics recall a failed relationship, only to declare that life “goes by.”
Almost monday’s debut album ‘DIVE’ is the perfect combination of genres. It’s a true ode to the band’s musicianship and creates a sense of serenity despite its heartbreaking lyrics. Almost monday is bound for great things – this album proves that.
Tickets for their UK/EU festival can be found here: https://almostmonday.com/live
Featured Photo Credit: Cole Ferguson