Daylight
Jar
Run for Cover Records (2013)
Score: 9/10
Pennsylvania seems like the state to hail from right now, with huge pop-punk bands like Title Fight, The Wonder Years, and the now defunct Tigers Jaw proud to call the state their home. Another of these great Pennsylvanians is Daylight, whose first full-length Jar, came out in April.
Jar starts off with the thunderous drums and screaming guitar melody of “Sponge” and it’s immediately evident that Daylight has come a long way from the pop-punk melodies of Sinking and Dispirit, and the 90s emo nostalgia of The Difference in Good and Bad Dreams. This time around, they’ve drawn their inspiration from grunge, taking cues from Nirvana and Seaweed to add to their already large list of influences. These elements are especially prevalent in second single, “Life in A Jar,” where a sharp guitar lead pierces through a thick wall of distortion from the rhythm section and driving drums build into a brilliant climax.
But it’s the second half of Jar that really hits it out of the park. My favorite song on the record, “Youngest Daughter” is a slow, four-minute grunge anthem with trance-like vocals from Taylor Madison and Jake Clarke. There’s a sadness that lingers over it, with especially pessimistic lyrics: “It’s useless / I’ve tried to no avail to tell you / how much I know / How much I care.” “No One’s Deserving” follows suit with a similar tempo and feel, “Hole in the Ground” shows off a softer side of the band, and closer “Around the Railing” is a dazzling display of songwriting.
One important thing to note about Jar is its production and mastering. The band’s potential has been harnessed by Producer Will Yip, known for his work with bands like Title Fight and Balance and Composure. As a whole, the record sounds…well, whole: a finished piece that can be enjoyed from beginning-to-end, but also track-by-track.
With Jar, Daylight has found a really happy medium between 90s emo and 80s grunge. Solid from start-to-finish, the record shines thanks to the band’s new direction, excellent songwriting, and solid production. It will be interesting to see where they go from here.
-Ian Caramanzana
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