Los Angeles-based rock band Dawes continues to evolve of their sound with their seventh album Good Luck with Whatever. Dawes first two albums – 2009’s North Hills and 2011’s Nothing Is Wrong – showcased their mastery of a free-wheeling Laurel Canyon vibe, but by 2018’s Passwords Dawes transitioned to a more pop-rock oriented sound. Now with Good Luck with Whatever they move to a polished heartland-tinged classic rock sound. Produced at Nashville’s famed RCA Studio with Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell) who helped frontman Taylor Goldsmith and Co. hone the nine tracks about growing older and maintaining self-identity and personal and public social anxieties in an increasingly complex and troubling world. Album highlights include: the rollicking opening track “Still Feel Like A Kid”; the Paul Simon-esque “St. Augustine At Night”; the rowdy rocker “None of My Business”; Tom Petty-vibed “Between the Zeros and the Ones”; the driving late-’70s inspired pop song “Who Do You Think You’re Talking To?”; the tender contemplative track “Didn’t Fix Me”; the aching rock ballad and album closer “Me Especially.” Dawes’ Good Luck with Whatever finds the band rounding out the edges on their sound while trying to make sense of these turbulent times. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Blitzen Trappoer, Fruit Bats, Deer Tick, Delta Spirit, Middle Brother