Bands like Foster the People, with their hits “Pumped Up Kicks” and “Helena Beat”, and The Naked and Famous,with their hit “Young Blood”, have made it possible for other such indie dance rock bands to rise to popularity. This is true for the band The D.A. who, while being similar to Foster the People, The Strokes, Crystal Castles, and The Naked and Famous, have a very unique sound that sets them apart from the rest of their genre.
“We Hungry”, off The D.A.’s latest album You Kids! is a great choice for a single because I think it really exhibits the best parts of The D.A.’s sound. The melody is displayed throughout the song by an interesting mix of bass, synth, and guitar with the usual backdrop of percussion. In the beginning of the song, the pop synth and indie bass mixture seems to set the tone of the song. That is, it did until a surprisingly raw vocal part hits you.
Lead singer Tyler Dudley’s voice is one of the elements of this song that adds personality to a genre of music in which all the bands sound extremely similar. It’s wild but subdued and so raw as to create the feeling that listening to “We Hungry” is an intensely personal experience. It’s an odd feeling to describe but you really notice it as the vocals speed up and match the tempo of the chorus and switch from being energetic to slowing and soothing before going in to the next verse.
The D.A.’s new album You Kids has been available in stores since the end of February, and I predict a great increase in sales of this album once “We Hungry” gets on the radio and on MTV. If you enjoy The Strokes and Foster the People, you’ll enjoy a fierce mash up of the too that ends up being this brilliantly crafted song.