Like You’re In A Dream
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
Listen to Like You’re In A Dream
Although he’s just 25 years old, the Cincinnati musician and singer-songwriter Damon Mitchell plays with a skill that far exceeds his years, and the 8 tracks that comprise Like You’re In A Dream bring in a wide array of rock’n’roll influences, both past and present.
Mitchell starts the listen with the warm and melodic title track, where his mature singing and rootsy appeal make an immediate impression, and “Have I Said It Enough” follows with a quick, bouncy spirit of breezy vocal harmonies and fluid, flowing instrumentation that jangles with charm.
“Blurry” arrives at the halfway point, and showcases Mitchell’s keen attention to detail as classic rock ideas enter the playful, groove friendly song craft, while “Secretary Song” recruits some pop ideas amid some grittier moments of folk-rock.
Towards the end, the well timed organ and thumping drums of “Okay” make for a retro flavored album highlight, and “To Have Lost” exits the listen with graceful piano and gentle guitar in the ballad climate that’s intimate, sublime and wiser than his years.
Mitchell is well versed in pop, rock, soul, folk and even jazz ideas across these diverse songs, and it would be best to keep both eyes on this young talent, as he’s destined for further greatness.
Travels well with: Brad Byrd- Where Were You When The World Stopped?; Mars Hall- Is Anybody Out There?