“Nothing is Wrong” is a top-down, wind blowing through your hair on a bright afternoon sort of musical affair.
Even on the melancholic tunes, clouds break, letting the sun shine through. Every track is like a deep breath — calming and cathartic.
The band Dawes follows in the footsteps of outfits such as Eagles and the Jayhawks, its flowery pop persistently edging along country twang. It reveals a command and prowess unexpected of a band so fresh on the scene.
“Nothing Is Wrong” is only the group’s sophomore release, but is still indicative of well-rooted, long-standing musical talent.
Vocal harmonization on tracks such as “Million Dollar Bill” and “So Well” has the power to flood eyes and melt hearts. Voices meld on “So Well,” culminating in a cry for a lost lover.
Dawes’ flair for Americana is evident, despite Los Angeles roots. Guitar lines drive the album forth, meandering and lighthearted.
The group reveals glimpses of a darker bent in “The Way You Laugh,” a track that injects humor in the jolting lyrics.
“Nothing Is Wrong” is characterized by a sense of longing, as though always on the precipice of grasping something just out of reach. The music and lyrics are simple but compelling, individualistic yet relatable in the way that good Americana so often is.
So as you cruise down your summer road that skirts along the ocean, remember to bring Dawes along for the ride.
