Artist: Danyew
Album: Danyew
Reviewer: Mark Warren
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
It’s often you hear a good melody referred to as epic, soaring or even an anthem. Just as often these words are not merited and occasionally even hype. This is not the case with Danyew’s self-titled debut EP. The driving opener “Closer We Are” features a sonic bombast of drums and guitars that are countered with a melodic vocal sure to capture the listener and hold them for the remaining 5 tracks.
Hailing from San Diego, Danyew travels the landscape to conjure McCartney and Bjork with a touch of Snow Patrol. Though utilizing masterful production, the songs hold up as memorable and downright catchy. “Streetlight” is a prime example, with its pounding snare and piano providing a fitting foundation for the sunny lyrics. Danyew switches gears with the haunting “Close Your Eyes,” a quest to find the truth and love. Amidst the experimentation and innovation sits a simple, heartfelt worship song “Beautiful King,” a welcome and instantly memorable ode to our Creator.
The brisk pace of the EP, coming in at a bit over 22 minutes, highlights how much is captured in its brief running time. Each track sounds completely unique from the others, where most debuts run into the problem of seeming like one 35-minute song.
It should be noted that Danyew writes, plays and records most everything on the record. His creativity and willingness to do something different, while still appealing to the mass audience is commendable. He has proven to be an artist worth following. This record should be part of anyone’s collection that is looking for something fresh and innovative.
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) April 21, 2009 – New Sparrow Records singer/songwriter Danyew releases his self-titled debut project today. The record’s first single, “Beautiful King,” is currently impacting both Christian AC and CHR radio.
Produced by Pete Kipley (MercyMe, Phil Wickham), the album, on which Danyew wrote and played every instrument, is a collection of songs about love. He explains, “The simple truth is that God wants us to love each other. Love is such a powerful thing, and God is shaping my desires to show His love through music.”
Danyew’s six-song disc includes the groovy “Close Your Eyes,” an epic piano-and-hum “Streetlight,” and Americana influenced “Nothing Without You.” Stand-out song “Beautiful King” is an acoustic track with a reverent tone.
The project’s first single “Beautiful King,” serviced last month, is already creating a buzz at radio. Kris Love, music director at LOVE-FM 89.1 in Knoxville, Tenn. comments, “as spring blooms here in Tennessee, Danyew’s ‘Beautiful King’ is the perfect accompaniment to the world coming back to life. Lovely music and great lines like ‘every smile is arrayed with a joy like wedding bells’ connect directly to the heart of our listener.”
In addition to radio, “Beautiful King” has received significant exposure online as part of a two-song digital EP, Danyew: The EP, released Feb. 17. Music fans that purchase the EP also receive the Danyew EPK, available at iTunes, at no additional cost.
For more information on the Danyew release, visit: www.myspace.com/danyew.
A San Diego native, Phil Danyew was born into a musical family and began playing his first instrument, guitar, at age 12. Attending Calvary Chapel Christian School, with fellow singer/songwriter Phil Wickham, he served as a worship leader for Calvary Chapel’s local church. During that time, he helped to develop newly founded churches in Russia, Hungary, England, France, Germany and Scotland. In January 2007, while playing a hometown show, Phil met producer Pete Kipley and began recording a demo. Danyew signed with Sparrow Records in 2007.
