DJ Daigle - Portrayal Of The Recluse

DJ Daigle

Portrayal Of The Recluse
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

By Dom Eagle

DJ Daigle is an independent, alternative rock musician from Eunice, Louisiana. His debut EP is entitled Portrayal Of The Recluse and has been released through his very own independent label, which is branded Cue Remedy Recordings. Independent music is the life-supply of many aged genres in this age, so it’s always refreshing to see a musician willing to market and manage themselves in order to gain recognition.

​Portrayal of the Recluse opens with “At An Alarming Rate (intro).” Falling just under two minutes, the level of smooth, but rapid, build in this song is remarkable. Beginning with gentle, clean electric guitar strumming a beautiful, repetitive pattern, things very quickly take an electronic turn with pulsating synth growing slowly in the background, before the same chord progression somehow becomes dark, bass-driven, electronic insanity.

“Run This Town” also falls just under the two-minute mark, but attempts something slightly different. DJ Daigle favors pop electronica on this cut, coupling a rapid and intense beat with twinkling synthetic noises and upbeat clean guitar once more. His vocals do not stretch towards any great heights, but they carry the song in the manner intended. He nails an infectious melody both vocally and instrumentally, which is something often under appreciated in a world boasting an overwhelming quantity of good music. But it should be appreciated, nonetheless.

“How Could I Ever Know’ is the first normal-length track on this short, intriguing EP. DJ Daigle drops the DJ on this track, favoring straightforward, raw and melancholic alternative rock. It is neither better nor worse than his other styles; it is, simply, a really great song. Smashing Pumpkins vibes abound. Simplistic and vague lyrics begging “how could I ever know?” are the key ingredient to making music appeal to literally anybody with nostalgia in their hearts.

All in all, this EP asks very little of the listener, but delivers all one would expect it to deliver. The occasional electronic bursts and alternative rock sensibilities complement one another perfectly. DJ Daigle has done well for his first EP. He’s definitely one to keep your eyes on.

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