Album Review: It’s time to go Daytrippin with Iration’s eighth studio album!
Photo courtesy of Iration. Photo credit: Chris Colclasure.
After months of being teased with top-notch singles, the highly anticipated new Iration album, Daytrippin, is officially here and it's just as good as you’d expect.
I love the label ”sunshine reggae” and these guys have perfected the sound and solidified that sub-genre in my head with this release!
I have to say, the vibe of Daytrippin is very reminiscent of a younger Iration, and I can’t get enough of it. Not to discount anything in their discography, but it sounds a lot more like the band I fell in love with almost 15 years ago.
Great storytelling lyrics, catchy, relatable songs and that bouncy reggae beat that demands a smile. Frontman, Micah Pueschel, effortlessly creates a scene out of words right in front of you with his smooth delivery, while the band upholds the perfect environment for it to live in. I’m pretty sure “Iration” is Hawaiian for “creates gold”.
After listening to the album for almost 2 weeks, there’s a couple tracks that stand out to me in a few ways. “California Dreams” is a familiar song about a band chasing the dream of paying the mandatory dues on the road to hitting it big. Fighting through disapproval from friends and family, playing shows for minimal return and staying the course no matter what, with that sweet victory verse at the end. It feels good, and sounds even better; a bit more on the rockin side with deep bass lines that carry the calm verses into a chorus that explodes with energy.
Switching up the mood, “Comedown” featuring the talented Claire Wright, is a beautifully crafted tale of the longing sensation that creeps in when any amount of time is spent away from that special someone after things come to an end. Pueschel and Wright have voices that compliment each other perfectly in this duet, conveying the somber undertones when feeling the comedown of not having that “love drug” any longer.
I love a good uplifting tune with a message of bettering the life in front of you while leaving everything negative behind, with no rearview mirror to even give it a second thought. “Can’t Look Back” is a true anthem to anyone trying to live a new life and shed the past for whatever reason. Musically, it checks all the boxes; every instrument on the track has its place and can be heard very clearly, creating a melodious backbone to carry all the motivation found within this amazing track.
Iration is about to kick off their fall tour with Artikal Sound System and Cydeways from mid-October to the later part of November, so if you want to hear some of these songs live, now’s your chance!
This collection of songs was co-written and produced by acclaimed songwriter/producer Suzy Shinn (Panic! at the Disco, Weezer, Dua Lipa) with help from longtime friend and producer David Manzoor. Whether you’re a new fan or have been an “Irator” for a while now, it’s time to get an earful of sunshine with Daytrippin.
Tracklist:
1 - IRL
2 - Can’t Look Back
3 - Daytrippin
4 - Strange
5 - California Dreams
6 - Last Night (feat. Maxi Priest)
7 - New Style
8 - Remedy
9 - The Stream
10 - Comedown (feat. Claire Wright)
