One To Watch
Having won Leeds’ Bright Young Things competition in 2007, Dan Smith has been gigging across the UK for the last year. His music is a curious blend of the verbose pop of bands like The Streets and Jamie T, with a fierce, theatrical twist using a glorious mix of instruments. ‘Alchemy’ starts with a grandiose spiralling piano tune à la Muse, along with passionate, protesting lyrics, but from this elegant pomposity hatches a bright, mellow, catchy chorus that seems to come out of nowhere but is a pleasant surprise. Vocals harmonies build on each other and Smith shows a fabulous ability to write an interesting tune that shivers with excitement.
‘Words Are Words’ is a little less grand and sees Smith give a chatty discourse on life that’s punctuated by piano chords and sweeping strings. It’s a chirpy, upbeat tune that’s well-written and smooth, and performed with sincerity. Dan Smith shows plenty of talent and is certainly one to watch if these spirited, flightly tunes are anything to go by.