Straight Up Random

CD Review: Sink or Swim EP by Dear Dakota

Band: Dear Dakota

Album: Sink or Swim EP

Stand Out Tracks: “This Is Not A Threat” and “Ode To An Ex”

Sounds Like: Envy On The Coast, Mayday Parade, Paramore

Links: MySpace  Purevolume Facebook

The Review: Lately bands have a monotonous sound – all of them having those signature squeaky vocals and sugar-coated songs about teenage adolescence. Dear Dakota is not that kind of band. Their Sink or Swim EP would be a great addition to anybody’s music library, and with the combination of their writing ability, musical style, and the incredible vocal range singer Zane Bezesky possesses, their songs can appeal to a broad audience. Their EP opens with the song “Ode To An Ex,” which is a melodically driven tune that begs for forgiveness of an ex with the chorus singing “take it back to the way it used to be/‘cause when you’re in my arms life’s not so empty.” The second track “Hello Anybody” is made for easy listening with its slow and smooth tone. “This Is Not A Threat” comes on next and is definitely the best song on their EP. The EP comes to a close with their song “What Happened To You,” and isn’t quite as melodic as the other three songs were, but it doesn’t disappoint and the vocals are still as good as ever. Dear Dakota has crafted four flawless songs that provides listeners with a taste of their potential for the future. 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviewed By: Maria Garcia

*Dear Dakota’s Sink or Swim EP is now available on iTunes and you can find their lyrics by google searching their band name.