L.A. band Dawes return with their fifth album. “We’re All Gonna Die” was produced by Grammy nominated producer Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes) and includes backing vocals from Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Brittany Howard of The Alabama Shakes, Mandy Moore, Will Oldham, and Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius. Of the album, Taylor Goldsmith (guitar, vocals) explains, “Pretty much every song on this record explores a difficult situation and tries to find a way to find the good in it, or at least remind yourself that it’s not always that big of a deal. After all, as scary as it is, we are all gonna die.” “If last year’s All Your Favorite Bands was a sweet source of comfort-rock, We’re All Gonna Die is something of a wake-up call, with sharper sounds and harsher vibes, straight from the jarringly fuzzy note that opens its title track” .
The California band Dawes has released several albums of breezy Golden State guitar rock centered on Taylor Goldsmith’s emotionally loaded songs. Those songs are filled with statements that are irresistibly uplifting when heard in a crowd. (Think “anyone that’s making anything new only breaks something else” from “When My Time Comes.”)
Dawes’ fifth album has the true — but still unsettling — title We’re All Gonna Die. It represents a change in sound courtesy of producer Blake Mills, who recently got kudos for producing Alabama Shakes‘ latest album, Sound & Color, and who was also Goldsmith’s high-school bandmate. More touches of keyboards and more space are part of the band’s new approach.
The Fat Angel Sings 