Dayseeker have already pushed their name into the alternative music scene, with fans now hailing the Southern-Californian four-piece from all over. Having over 10 years experience in the music industry, since their first album release in 2013 (‘What It Means To Be Defeated’), Dayseeker have proved themselves to be more than worthy of all the attention they get, and have used their remarkable musical gifts to bring something new to their discography. ‘Replica’, the new album, is a collection of acoustic takes on some of their most popular songs from both Sleeptalk and Dark Sun, as well as their own acoustic version of Evanescence’s ‘My Immortal’.

As if ‘Sleeptalk’ couldn’t be any more beautiful, the new acoustic version that takes the first place on the album highlights all the most impressive parts of the track. Lead singer, Rory Rodriguez, graces the song with his raw voice, bringing to light all the emotion that was disguised by intense music in the original song. The bridge takes advantage of this, pouring out the words in an exasperated tone, creating an admirably vulnerable sense. 

Teaming up with Amber DeLaRosa for ‘Without Me’, the group turned what was an empowering ballad about healing after the trauma of heartbreak into what seems like a tragic conversation between two past lovers. Soft music topped with a combination of both Rodriguez’s and DeLaRosa’s voices truly puts a new feeling to the track, making it more heart-wrenching than ever could’ve been imagined.

‘Neon Grave’ only contributes to this feeling, giving more of the distressed lyrics, but now laced through a strong voice that sounds almost as if it’s screaming with desperation. Rodriguez shows off his skills on this one, throwing out each word with everything he has, just as he does in the next track, ‘Starving To Be Empty’, where Holding Absence’s Lucas Woodland joins him. Complimenting each other’s voices perfectly, the two vocalists capture the solemn essence of the song with no flaws, in turn forming what could be the most emotional track on Replica.

‘Homesick’ and ‘Crying While You’re Dancing’ are the next tracks on the record. The sadness from the previous few tracks lingers in the air of these, but they deliver their own, calm feeling, allowing for a break in the sorrow that Replica seems to adore.

Pre-released ‘Burial Plot’ sees Caleb Shomo of Beartooth collaborating with the band. It’s unusual to hear Shomo in an acoustic song, with Beartooth being a band that’s so well-known for their heavy music, yet he seems to have adapted to this tranquil exploration of music with no faults. Working together, they create a feeling like no other, and a song that is absolutely flawless.

‘Drunk’ turns the feeling of the record back to the same as ‘Neon Grave’, with the strength of Rodriguez’s voice taking the spotlight for the duration of the track, and is supported by ‘Afterglow’. The songs act as a reminder of what Dayseeker alone is capable of, and the emotions that they can create from words and music, after their multiple collaborations with other artists. ‘Drunk’ and ‘Afterglow’ are the final of Dayseeker’s acoustic versions of their own songs, before the overall finale of ‘Replica’ hits.

A rendition of Evanescence’s ‘My Immortal’ closes out the album. Considering the original version of this song, it was obviously going to be touching, but Dayseeker has taken it to another level. Rory Rodriguez has an extraordinary talent of being able to convey a range of feelings through his voice, as seen in every single Dayseeker song, but it seems as though taking on this song has unleashed something new. The power in his voice alone is astounding, but his ability to master the notes that the incredible Amy Lee put to these words is breathtaking. Dayseeker could not have made their version of ‘My Immortal’ any better.

‘Replica’ has been one of the most enjoyable emotional rollercoasters to listen to. Dayseeker has so clearly poured everything they had into this album, and have worked with an amazing few musicians to put this record out. The talent of this group is incredibly unique, and is something that has not declined with anything that they have released. It’s time for the world to get to know Dayseeker, and nothing could display what they can do better than ‘Replica’.

Dayseeker: Replica – Out 19th April 2024 (Spinefarm Records)