Harmony House (Dayglow album)

Last updated
Harmony House
HarmonyHouseDayglowAlbumCover.jpg
Studio album by
Dayglow
ReleasedMay 21, 2021 (2021-05-21)
Genre
Length34:24
Label
  • Very Nice Records
  • AWAL
Producer Sloan Struble
Dayglow chronology
Fuzzybrain
(2019)		Harmony House
(2021)		People in Motion
(2022)
Singles from Harmony House
  1. "Close to You"
    Released: January 11, 2021
  2. "Something"
    Released: February 22, 2021
  3. "Woah Man"
    Released: April 1, 2021
  4. "Balcony"
    Released: May 6, 2021
  5. "Medicine"
    Released: May 21, 2021

Harmony House is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter and producer Sloan Struble, under his stage name Dayglow. It was released on May 21, 2021, through Very Nice Records in partnership with AWAL. [5] [lower-alpha 1] Harmony House was announced in February 2021, following the re-release of Struble's debut album Fuzzybrain (2019) and the success of his single "Can I Call You Tonight?".

Contents

Harmony House received generally favorable reviews from music critics. The album was supported by five singles, that "Close to You", "Something", "Woah Man", "Balcony", and "Medicine". After the release of the album, Struble headlined the Harmony House Tour. [7] [8]

Background

After the release of the extended version of Dayglow's debut album, Fuzzybrain, Struble planned to embark on a sold-out headlining show in early 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour was canceled and Struble isolated in his Austin residence. [9] In an interview with NME, Struble explained that the idea of Harmony House came from writing "[the] soundtrack for a sitcom that doesn't exist." Struble compared the feeling after the virality of the song, "Can I Call You Tonight?", as if he were living in the universe of the 1998 film The Truman Show. [10]

Composition and lyrics

Harmony House has been described as an overall bedroom pop, [1] indie pop, [2] pop rock, [4] and alternative pop [3] record.

The first song, "Something" is a funk [11] song, with lyrics explaining the harsh separation between the digital world and reality. [12] The song contains a melody of notes that reoccurs throughout other songs on the album. [1] Describing "Balcony", Struble explained in a social media post how he set out to create a song that sounded similarly to the music of the Cure, Broncho, and the Mario Kart video-game soundtrack. [13] [14] Driven by synths, a keyboard, and light trumpet, "December" describes seasonal depression, and a longing for life to get exciting again. One of the lyrics from the song comes from a poem which was a favorite of Struble's great-grandmother. [1] [15] The album's lead single "Close to You" describes "the tension between two people at a party that never said hello." [16] "Crying on the Dancefloor" is song describing a party, while "Into Blue" is an introspective disco ballad describing the "after-party" of the previous song. [2] [17] [1]

"Moving Out" is an electric piano song inspired by the James Taylor album "That's Why I'm Here". Stating that it is "one of [his] favorite songs [he's] written so far," Struble describes Woah Man as "[letting] go of holding on." [2] Originally not intended to make it onto the album's tracklist, 'Strangers" is the vulnerable, somber "emotional climax" of the record, with Struble explaining "I want people to know that I go through hard stuff too, and life is like that sometimes." [2] In an album overview with Pilerats Sloan explains "Like Ivy" as the second part to "Strangers" and the "immediate closure following [the previous track]". Struble continues, "The first track on the record, Something, is like the essence of quickly rising to fame and feeling so overwhelmed by it. During the outro I say "It's taking time, it's taking time” over and over— like I can't even get the words out of what I'm trying to say. Like Ivy on the other hand though, is like the completion of the sentence."

Release and promotion

On January 11, 2021, Struble released the lead single from Harmony House, "Close to You". [18] The song reached a peak of 22 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart and 20 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. Harmony House was officially announced on February 22 of the same year, alongside the release of the second single from the album, "Something". Before the album's release in May 2021, two more singles were released, "Woah Man" (released April 1) [19] and "Balcony" (released May 6). [13] On May 21, 2021, Harmony House was released alongside the music video for "Medicine", the fifth single from the album. [20]

"Close to You" was used in the eighth episode of the Netflix series Heartstopper and subsequently appeared on the Heartstopper: Official Mixtape released by Spotify. [21] [22]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Album of the Year80/100
Review scores
SourceRating
Dork4/5

Harmony House received generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Album of the Year, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 80, based on one review. [23]

Writing for Dork, Finlay Holden states "[Harmony House] push[es Struble's] production beyond the restraints of his charming yet confined origins," and that "[if]‘Fuzzybrain was the pinnacle of 2010s bedroom pop, ‘Harmony House’ is a masterful throwback to the cheese of 80s pop-rock that Dayglow somehow makes as culturally relevant and appealing as it's ever been." [24]

Track listing

All tracks written and produced by Sloan Struble. [25]

Harmony House track listing [26]
No.TitleLength
1."Something"1:54
2."Medicine"3:49
3."Balcony"2:31
4."December"3:11
5."Close to You"3:14
6."Crying on the Dancefloor"4:23
7."Into Blue"3:39
8."Moving Out"3:00
9."Woah Man"3:28
10."Strangers"2:52
11."Like Ivy"2:33
Total length:34:24

Related Research Articles

<i>Take Off Your Colours</i> 2008 studio album by You Me at Six

Take Off Your Colours is the debut studio album by English rock band You Me at Six, originally released on 6 October 2008 through Slam Dunk Records. After forming in 2004, they released an EP titled We Know What It Means to Be Alone in 2006, and went on a tour with Elliot Minor in support of the release. After releasing "Save It for the Bedroom" as a single to promote their tour, the band gained attention from both independent and major record labels.

AWAL is a global recording business that serves as an alternative to the traditional record label, offering deal structures that provide artists the resources and expertise of a global label while allowing them to retain ownership and control of their music. In 2021, Sony Music Entertainment purchased AWAL from Kobalt Music Group for $430 million.

<i>Cinderellas Eyes</i> 2011 studio album by Nicola Roberts

Cinderella's Eyes is the debut studio album by English recording artist Nicola Roberts. It was released on 23 September 2011 by Polydor Records. As a member of the British girl group Girls Aloud, Roberts drew inspiration from her time with the group. Her experience with Girls Aloud's formation found her being labelled "ugly" by the media, and the constant negative attention and subsequent personal problems resulted in her struggling with her confidence. She started recording for the album in 2010 and co-wrote all of the original tracks on the album, working closely with producers Dimitri Tikovoï, Maya von Doll and Diplo on the album, as well as Canadian electropop band Dragonette. The concept of the album derived from fairy tales, focusing mostly upon "Cinderella" after titling the album Cinderella's Eyes. The album artwork features Roberts next to a collection of vintage artefacts wearing a modern interpretation of the Cinderella glass slipper, co-produced by shoe designer Atalanta Weller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orla Gartland</span> Irish singer, songwriter, musician

Orla Gartland is an Irish singer, songwriter and musician. She released her debut album, Woman On The Internet in 2021, which reached number 3 on the Irish album chart, number 1 on the UK Indie Chart, and number 10 on the UK album chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifth Harmony</span> American girl group

Fifth Harmony, often shortened to 5H, is an American girl group based in Miami, composed of Ally Brooke, Normani, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui, and Camila Cabello until Cabello's departure from the group in December 2016. The group signed a joint record deal with Simon Cowell's label Syco Records and L.A. Reid's label Epic Records after forming and were the last contestant eliminated in the second season of the American singing competition series The X Factor in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterparks (band)</span> American pop rock band

Waterparks is an American rock band formed in Houston, Texas in 2011. The group currently consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Awsten Knight, backing vocalist and lead guitarist Geoff Wigington, and backing vocalist and drummer Otto Wood.

<i>Notes on a Conditional Form</i> 2020 studio album by the 1975

Notes on a Conditional Form is the fourth studio album by English band the 1975. It was released on 22 May 2020 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records. Initially titled Music for Cars, the album was intended as the follow-up to I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). It later came to denote an era spanning two albums. The first, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, was released in November 2018. The band recorded much of the second album in London, Los Angeles, Sydney, Northamptonshire and in a mobile studio on their tour bus. The album faced several delays and was submitted only weeks before the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Chloe Papandrea, known professionally as Cxloe, is an Australian pop singer from Sydney, New South Wales.

mxmtoon American singer-songwriter and YouTuber (born 2000)

Maia, known professionally as mxmtoon, is an American singer-songwriter and YouTuber. Her music is characterized by emotionally transparent, confessional lyrics, and often employs the ukulele. She released her first EP, Plum Blossom, in 2018; her debut album, The Masquerade, was released in September 2019. This was followed by the twin EPs Dawn and Dusk in 2020, and second studio album Rising, which was released on May 20, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woah (song)</span> 2019 single by Lil Baby

"Woah" is a single by American rapper Lil Baby from his second studio album My Turn (2020). The song was released through Quality Control Music and Universal Music Group on November 8, 2019. "Woah" became Lil Baby's third number one on the Billboard Streaming Songs chart, following 2018's "Yes Indeed" and "Drip Too Hard". It also debuted at number one on the Rolling Stone 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me & You Together Song</span> 2020 single by the 1975

"Me & You Together Song" is a song by English band the 1975 from their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form (2020). The song was released on 16 January 2020 through Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the third single from the album. It was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Production of the song was handled by Daniel and Healy alongside Jonathan Gilmore. Inspired by Amy Watson, Chelsea Pollard and the idealism of a teenage romance, Healy conceived the song as part of the soundtrack to German, a film he planned on creating. Although the film did not come to fruition, the 1975 continued to work on the song, channeling the sound of their former band Drive Like I Do.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holly Humberstone</span> British musician (born 1999)

Holly Ffion Humberstone is an English singer-songwriter from Grantham, England. In 2021, she signed a recording contract with Interscope and Polydor Records. Her first extended play (EP) following the signings, The Walls Are Way Too Thin, was released in November 2021. Afterwards, she won the Brit Award for Rising Star at the 2022 Brit Awards. She released her debut studio album, Paint My Bedroom Black, in October 2023.

Mia Isobel Wray-McCann, known professionally as Mia Wray, is an Australian pop singer, songwriter and musician from Noosa, Queensland.

Claud Mintz, known professionally as Claud, is an American bedroom pop singer-songwriter from the suburbs of Chicago. Claud is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. They are known for the songs "Soft Spot" and "Wish You Were Gay".

Sloan Christian Struble, is an American singer, songwriter, and producer from Aledo, Texas. He is best known as the founder and lead of the indie pop project Dayglow. Dayglow released its debut album, Fuzzybrain, on September 28, 2018. Dayglow performing members include bassist Peyton Harrington, drummer Brady Knippa, keyboardist Norrie Swofford, guitarist Colin Crawford, and in the past have included guitarist Nate Davis, drummer Reece Myers, keyboardist Nico Fennell, bassist Eric Loop, and saxophonist Marshall Lowry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Queen</span> British singer (born 1997)

Arabella Latham, known professionally as Baby Queen, is a South African singer based in London. Born and raised in Durban, South Africa, she moved to London at 18 to pursue a career in music and signed a recording contract with Polydor Records in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glaive (musician)</span> American musician (born 2005)

Ash Blue Gutierrez, known professionally as Glaive, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. After posting a string of hyperpop songs to SoundCloud during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that earned him a cult following, he signed a record deal with Interscope Records and released his debut extended play, Cypress Grove, in 2020. His debut album, I Care So Much That I Don't Care at All, was released on July 14, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L'objectif</span> English rock band

L'objectif are an English rock band from Leeds. Formed in 2017 by vocalist and guitarist Saul Kane and drummer Louis Bullock, the band performed as a duo up until 2020, when they recruited guitarist Dan Richardson and bassist Ezra Glennon. Their debut EP Have It Your Way was released on 20 July 2021, through Chess Club Records and Mirror Music Group. The EP's lead single "Drive in Mind" peaked at number one on Free40's Dutch independent music chart.

<i>The Gods We Can Touch</i> 2022 studio album by Aurora

The Gods We Can Touch is the third studio album by Norwegian singer-songwriter and record producer Aurora. It was released on 21 January 2022 by Decca and Glassnote Records. As in her other releases, Aurora worked with Magnus Skylstad and Askjell Solstrand, along with new collaborations with Jamie Hartman, Martin Sjølie and Matias Tellez on its production.

<i>Who Cares?</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Rex Orange County

Who Cares? is the fourth studio album by the English musician Rex Orange County, released on 11 March 2022, through RCA Records. The album was written and produced by Rex Orange County and the Dutch musician Benny Sings, with an appearance from the American rapper Tyler, the Creator.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dayglow builds a stylized, summer sanctuary on 'Harmony House'". RIFF Magazine. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Album Walkthrough: Texan force Dayglow breaks down his new record, Harmony House". PILERATS. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
  3. 1 2 "Dayglow Announces New Album 'Harmony House'". Clash Magazine. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  4. 1 2 Holden, Finlay (2021-05-18). "Dayglow - Harmony House | Dork". Dork. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  5. ↑ Ackroyd, Stephen (22 February 2021). "Dayglow's new album 'Harmony House' is coming this May | Dork". Dork. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Dayglow Launches New Record Label, Very Nice Records - Foundations Music". foundationsmusic.com. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  7. ↑ "Dayglow | Music, tour dates, videos and more from Dayglow. Stream or download his second album, Harmony House, out now!". dayglowband.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  8. ↑ Leiber, Sarah Jae. "DAYGLOW Announces 2021 North American Tour Dates". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  9. ↑ Parreira, Amelia (5 August 2020). "Dayglow: From the bedroom studio to the 'sold-out tour that never existed'". RIFF Magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Dayglow's new album is what happens when bedroom pop leaves home". NME. 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  11. ↑ Murray, Robin (22 February 2021). "Dayglow Announces New Album 'Harmony House'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  12. ↑ "Dayglow Dances Around Letting Go on "Woah Man"". American Songwriter. 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  13. 1 2 Leiber, Sarah Jae. "DAYGLOW Releases New Single 'Balcony'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "Dayglow shares new single 'Balcony'". Mystic Sons. 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  15. ↑ Stoltenborgh, Freek (2021-04-01). "Dayglow shares new song 'Woah Man'". www.v2benelux.com. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  16. ↑ "Dayglow Transports Us Back to the '80s with Danceable, Forlorn "Close to You"". Atwood Magazine. 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  17. ↑ Staff, Taila Lee | Senior (2021-05-25). "Dayglow looks to horizon with bright, blossoming 'Harmony House'". The Daily Californian. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
  18. ↑ "Dayglow's 'Close To You' Matches Pop Perfection To Nagging Melancholy". Clash Magazine. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  19. ↑ Jones, Abby (1 April 2021). "Dayglow Releases Feel-Good Groove "Whoa Man"". Popdust. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  20. ↑ Stoltenborgh, Freek (21 May 2021). "Dayglow releases sophomore album 'Harmony House'". www.v2benelux.com. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  21. ↑ "Heartstopper soundtrack: Every song in Netflix's LGBTQ+ drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
  22. ↑ Warner, Sam (2022-04-25). "'Heartstopper' soundtrack: every song played in the new Netflix drama". NME. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
  23. ↑ "Dayglow - Harmony House". Album of The Year. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  24. ↑ Holden, Finlay (18 May 2021). "Dayglow - Harmony House | Dork". Dork. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  25. ↑ "Dayglow (2) – Harmony House". Discogs. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  26. ↑ "Harmony House by Dayglow". Apple Music. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  1. ↑ Very Nice Records is Struble's self-founded record label. [6]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.