With two albums already under his belt, and a handful of motion picture soundtrack features (Spider-Man: Across The Spider Verse), Fike’s unique concoction of energy-filled beats and dominating vocals have captured a generation – making him one of the most supported and exciting rising stars of the past half a decade.
Following on from 2020’s sophomore release, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?, Fike returns with the endearing and introspective Sunburn. Filled with nostalgia, the record sees Fike reflect on key moments throughout his life, from his clumsy experiences with love (“Ant Pile”), to his rebellious time as a teen (“Dancing In The Courthouse”) and childhood reflections (“Mamas Boy”), the singer offers a quick-stop tour of his history in his most personal project to date.
“How Much Is Weed” opens the record with surf-rock-esque instrumentals before allowing for the emergence of Fike’s distinctive vocals. Infectious percussive beats paired with melodic, quick-paced, rap-infused lyrics make for an apt introduction to the preppy upbeat soundscape that finds itself veined throughout the rest of the album. The nostalgia and reminiscence themes present are introduced from the very start as Fike flicks through snapshots of his life - “looking through the photo album but the colour faded from it”.
Teetering more into the alt-rock territory, “Ant Pile” is where Fike finds himself drowning in romanticism and wistfully recalling the first time he fell in love (“Back then you knew I always liked you”). Working from first grade, right through to their first date (“Ninth grade / I picked you up before the first date”), he candidly reflects on tender and seemingly insignificant moments that shaped their relationship. Featuring euphoric, electric guitar lines, infectious percussive beats, and Fike’s notable vocals, “Ant Pile” is poppy, preppy, and utterly delightful.
Where “Think Fast” is a laid-back and sultry reflection of only getting “one chance” in life, “Sick” is his most upbeat and poppy offering on the album. Swooning vocals and ditty-ing dominate and command to be heard as Fike talks on love and infatuation.
Personal and introspective, “Dancing In The Courthouse” reflects on finding the light in the dark as Fike delivers an uplifting and overtly positive cut. Boasting slick guitar licks, and powerful and commanding vocals, Fike reflects on his teen years in Florida (including run-ins with the law – “Put up on trial / Make 'em dance for it in the courthouse”). Not shying away from divulging misdeeds in his past, “Dancing In The Courthouse” puts on display Fike’s rebellious nature in an infectious cut that’s just under three minutes long. The take-home message of this track? Focus on the things you can control, and persevere through what you can’t.
Following on-lent to the latest Spider-Man’s deluxe soundtrack, Fike’s soothing vocals command attention atop delicate acoustic notes in a homage to Da Vinci. Upbeat, funky, and arguably featuring the largest rap element of any track on the record “Mona Lisa” dotes on love (“Love is when you try to place it out your mind / But you can't turn the radio down / And you can't think of anyone else”), the painting acting as a metaphor for not being able to go anywhere without being reminded of this person, due to fame or infatuation – “I can see your face in Parisian paintings, the Mona Lisa / I can hear your voice in the streets and the TV stations”.
“Sunburn” sits almost as the twin of “Think Fast” with its relaxed beats overlaid with quick-pace vocalisations and poetic lyricism. Aptly, the titular track is a stand-out of the album, fully laying bare the talent of Fike and demonstrating his ability to produce preppy, infectious cuts. “Sunburn” is almost the higher-energy older brother of “Three Nights”.
“4X4” brings the album into folksy territory with acoustic guitars that wouldn’t be out of place on a Ben Howard record. Crooning on love and childhood, Fike showcases his impressive vocal range before quickly switching it up for the high-octane, punchy, treble ditties of “Frisky”- positive and sun-filled Fike declares on “wanting to make an effort”.
“Mamas Boy” takes its roots in 90s grunge encompassed in an immersive narrative that includes soundbites of children’s laughter, playground-esque chanting, and old phone tones that invoke overwhelming nostalgia. Featuring vocals akin to the likes of Thundercat and Childish Gambino, lyrics are delivered in staccato as Fike laments on wishing he was “a toy” in one of the most delicate and sonically laid-back offerings on the album. “Mama’s Boy” is easily the stand-out creation of the album.
Closing the record, we find ourselves enveloped in the acoustic strummings and lush, high-pitched croonings of “What Kinda Woman”. Fike confesses “I wanna know what makes you so cool”, in a wholly easy-going final poetic doting on love.
Sunburn is a delightful entanglement of love, introspection, and nostalgia, married together by slick guitar licks, preppy notes, and delightful beats that make for Fike’s most impressive project to date. Concocting an album that boasts and smoothly slides through multiple genres from the acoustic notes of “4X4”, rap elements of “Think Fast” and alt-rock “Ant Pile”, Dominic Fike has demonstrated that he can succinctly slot into any category – and doesn’t want to be restricted any time soon.
