Taylor Goldsmith possesses a rare gift for distilling the quiet beauty of everyday life into poignant songs that feel deeply personal and universally relatable. It’s everywhere in Dawes music– the idiosyncratic descriptions of the mundane going-ons of everyday events, the subtle character observations of quirky personalities, the romanticization of life itself. There’s no better storyteller operating today in modern music in my opinion. I’ve waxed poetic about Stephan Jenkins from Third Eye Blind and his innate ability to find the perfect cocktail of syllables that make me feel something. Goldsmith is absolutely in that same stratosphere. Whether it’s a fleeting glance across a room, the ache of a fading memory, or the small triumphs and failures that define our days, his lyrics transform the mundane into something sacred. His work invites listeners to pause, to notice, and to reflect, as if he’s holding up a mirror to life’s simplest yet most profound truths.
In the era of polished pop and electronic beats, Dawes has emerged as a beacon of authenticity, carrying the torch for Americana and guitar-driven rock. The band’s beginnings were famously rooted in the Laurel Canyon tradition and drew inspiration from legends like CSNY and Jackson Browne (a sound they fought hard to break out of) and Stories Don’t End fully crystallized their vision by combining thoughtful songwriting with a more adventurous musicality. The album is a deft masterclass in balancing simplicity and complexity. Tracks like “Just Beneath the Surface” and “From a Window Seat” blend shimmering guitar melodies with frontman Taylor Goldsmith’s vivid, narrative-driven lyrics. The album feels like a conversation—sometimes comforting, sometimes challenging—but always deeply human. Dawes leans heavily into their Americana roots while weaving in elements of jam-band exploration, a steadfast celebration of guitar-rock’s past glory with a dash of fresh modernity.
I remember the first time I saw them live at Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park. At that point I was completely unaware of the band, but was immediately gripped by their sheer musicianship and tightness as a group during that 45-minute set. It’s a feeling you get everytime I flip on this album. It’s the one that caused me to fall in love with the band and never look back.
Standout Songs: “From A Window Seat”, “Most People”, “Hey Lover”, “Bear Witness”, “From The Right Angle”, “Just Beneath The Surface (Reprise)”
