Atlanta-born, raised in a web of musical talent, and eager to express himself as genuinely as he can, singer-songwriter Dali Rose will release his debut EP “Heaven” on April 25.
A vulnerable and heartfelt exploration through the alleyways of his mind, “Heaven” features vocal lines that dig deep into the psyche, backed by Rose’s self-made melancholic production. The EP is an honest dive into pain, played in ways listeners might find a familiar comfort in.
Leading into the release of his debut EP, Rose sat down with Rough Draft Atlanta to talk about his debut, his past with music, and his ambitions going forward in his musical career.
Rose has been surrounded by music and musical talent for all of his life. His father is Van Hunt, a Grammy Award-winning vocalist and musician. Despite that environment, he didn’t start making music himself until recently.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rose said he was depressed, broke, and just looking for something to do. He decided to try making music of his own to see what would come of it.
“It was a hobby at first,” Rose said. “It just morphed into this really serious craft that I take really f*cking seriously. But it took a long time to really mature into that.”
Pulling influence from classic musical acts as well as contemporary players such as Earl Sweatshirt, King Krule, and Mac Miller, Rose holds craftsmanship and authenticity at the highest value. He respects pure artistry above all else, even if the product it creates ends up imperfect.
“Where they might lack in some of that craftsmanship, I feel like they make up for it in just being their true selves, and just pouring their entire f*cking soul into an album,” Rose said. “Pouring their soul into the production, pouring their soul into the songwriting, just every aspect of the project.”
Rose takes that influence and tinges it into his own unique sound. He takes no shame in embracing his persona. His words are personal and his production textured. He writes reflections of himself, his troubles, and most of all wants to put something out there that might mean something to someone.
When asked about the most important thing he has learned from the musicians who inspire him, Rose said to not be afraid to fail.
“At the end of the day that’s the biggest lesson I can learn from people like that,” he said.
Rose’s debut is only the start of what’s to come. Moving forward, Rose hopes to produce a second EP, go on a big tour, and eventually find time to sit with a full-scale project he can truly build a world around.
Those interested in checking out Rose’s music can watch his latest music video for the third song off the EP, called “THE BOY TRIED TO FLY.”
In the lead-up to his EP’s release, here’s a short track-by-track review of the EP.
- “BIG BEAR” starts off the album with melancholic piano chords, a common characteristic between tracks, all topped by Rose’s classic blues and soul-reminiscent vocals longing for a love lacking in his life. “BIG BEAR” is a piano ballad about trying to grow while putting one’s all into holding strong.
- “DEATH N TAXES” adds backing vocals and some light guitar into the mix. As Rose sings, a drum beat takes the song away, building tension and tempo into a protesting refrain: “Don’t let ‘em take it away.”
- “THE BOY TRIED TO FLY” features on a lofi groove. The song smoothly glides as the chorus sings of a jaded view toward the state of one’s life and the guilt in admitting defeat. A whistle in the background tops off the vibe.
- “STRAY” is an interlude track that starts the EP’s second half. It’s troubling and vulnerable, but in it rests beauty. The melancholic piano dances with Rose’s pleas for help, “I can’t breathe.” “I’m nothing but a stray,” he sings. “Oh honey I’m bleeding out … on the concrete.” It’s a bloodied tape, a found message-in-a-bottle left by someone shaking on their last leg.
- “SUMTHIN TO SOMEONE” longs for exactly what its title describes. Daydreaming that his efforts are not in vain, Rose sings, “Hope I can mean something to someone.”
- “RUN ON HOME” is the emotional climax of the EP. Vocals peak microphones and fingers hit synthesizer keys hard. Rose screams, encouragement in the sprint to Heaven.
- “HEAVEN,” an 8-minute track, closes the EP. Rose embraces himself in the first half, singing “No my heart will never change.” Then the song changes. The beat is at halftime. “The cracks start to show,” Rose says. The production returns to its common minimalism as Rose sings of falling into a vulnerable state after it all. He sings words of welcome. With open arms, Rose says, “It brings you back down … It brings you back to Heaven.”