MUSIC REVIEW: DAUGHTRY – Shock To The System (Part One)

Label: Big Machine Label Group

Release Date: September 27, 2024

Rating: 100%

Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Full disclosure – I still spin Daughtry’s debut release regularly… has a lot of great rockers that kick ass and a ballad or two that draw you in.  I dig a lot of their catalog, but that first release was the bar.  Until now.  The latest, an EP with 6 tracks has it all in my opinion.  Disc opener “The Reckoning” kicks the door wide open with a chugging riff that leads to the first verse from Chris that allows us to gently work into the track and vocals until the pre-chorus hits and his voice takes on some urgency and additional power.  The energy from his voice is accentuated by the heavy bottom end and guitar work in the mix.  If this is only the start, we need to strap in.  “Artificial” shifts gears sonically with a more electronic sound, but soon the bottom end kicks in and thanks to some thunderous drums we are off and running.  Chris’ vocals take a more tempered approach, but the baritone that reverberates through the verse is almost hypnotic and keeps you engaged until the chorus hits and blows you away.  The shift in energy throughout the track perfectly suits the lyrics and mood of the track.  “Pieces” takes the sonic highs and lows of other tracks on the EP and swirls them nicely.  The vocal draped across the verse conveys a lot of different energies and emotions without detracting from the overall feel of the track.  The lyrics reflect what a lot of us think at any given moment and that endears us to the song even more.  The rhythmic groove of the bottom end gets the foot tapping while you sing along.

Title track “Shock To The System” is a killer track that creates mood that unfolds as the song progresses.  The musical interlude underneath Daughtry’s vocals in the verse is well-suited to the overall feel of the track and the twist of lyrics that hit hard when Chris proclaims he is waiting for “adrenaline gone ballistic” to accompany the shock his soul needs.  The song grabbed me from first listen and will get the foot tapping while you punch the air at the chorus.  “Nervous” is hands down my favorite track of the collection.  This slow burn track is a perfect ballad-like track that is perfectly constructed to prompt everyone to look inside while they sing and scream the lyrics, joining Daughtry in his inner turmoil.  The ethereal musical accompaniment is chilling and electrifying at the same time.  The closing chorus hits harder when Chris takes it up and out as he adds an octave without destroying the track’s sound and overall vibe.  I cannot say enough good stuff about this song.  Disc closer “The Dam” keeps the more tempered sound flowing without a huge wall of sound through the intro and verse.  Hold on once the chorus hits.  Not only does Daughtry flex his vocal muscles, but he also allows the band to rip the lid off the track.  The rhythm section comes barreling at you while the guitar and keyboard fill the void with some great sounds.  While a lot of bands tout their latest release as no filler, this disc delivers on every level.  With these six tracks out in the world, I can’t wait to hear Part Two, but Daughtry has its work cut out ahead of them to top this one.

Tracklisting: The Reckoning – Artificial – Pieces – Shock To The System – Nervous – The Dam

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SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM (PART ONE) – ITUNES

Category: CD Reviews