Daniel Nunnelee embodies yearning in debut album, 'June, Baby'
From the intimate delivery of soul-baring lyrics to the light yet comprehensive instrumentals, Daniel Nunnelee’s debut album, June, Baby, is an ode to what it means to live freely in your 20s.
The 10-track record is the result of the Tennessee native’s time spent writing in isolated cabins and familiar parks, a fact that becomes apparent upon listening; teeming with nature imagery and cohesively outdoorsy production, June, Baby feels unapologetically natural to Nunnelee. A “quintessential Gemini,” he interpolates contradictory ideals and diverse sounds into his work, reflecting the complexity of human yearning.
Watch the music video for "Deer Trails" on YouTube.
Nunnelee’s earthly influence seeps into the album right off the bat in the opening track and lead single, “Deer Trails.” The song introduces the somewhat existential theme of the album, with lyrics like “I’ve been chasing the sounds of the bird in the morning / To hear the songs of the films they’re scoring / Do you think that they know / All the secrets that they hold?” The soothing melody and floaty dichotic guitar lines reflect the album’s recurring theme of the fantasizing that comes with longing for a simpler life.
Keeping with the theme of desire while introducing a whole new sound is “Do You?” the second single from the album. Complete with a full band and roaring chorus, the song is an archetypal indie rock song, perfectly encapsulating the feeling of summer: “Scream singing way off-key / We both got nowhere to be.” Track three, “Be Someone Else,” has a similar vibe and further captures the feeling of desperation. The tom-heavy drum fills throughout and vocal raspiness as Nunnelee gets to the top of his range give a sonic definition to the act of pining as he sings, “I would rather be someone else than be myself without you.”
Photo via Big Feat PR
Staying true to Nunnelee’s self-proclaimed Gemini tendencies, listeners get sonic whiplash going from “I Wanna Die Before You Die,” a punchy and loud 40-second interlude, to the softer opening of track five, “Kick Down That Door.” Gabe Goodman’s sophisticated production shines through in “Kick Down That Door,” with the sonic and lyrical cohesion of the track speaking to Nunnelee and Goodman’s artfulness: the incessant tom beat and fast guitar strumming build anxiety until the full band enters in the chorus, providing the powerful feeling of someone physically kicking down a door. Ending with a huge buildup and horns gives the track a theatrical feel, making it one of the most memorable songs on the album.
After the lullaby-esque “ily ily ily,” the third single from June, Baby, is “Edge of Eternity,” a laborious-sounding yet soulful track that grounds listeners. Nunnelee’s emotive vocals stand out, especially as he breathily sings, “I’m making it harder than it has to be.”
“Why Don’t You Just Come Over” and “Pick N Choose” are among the most folksy tracks on the record, chock-full of calming melodies and notions of romanticization. The new “Pick N Choose” is a revamped take on the popular 2022 version of the song and features singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt. The maturity in sound is evident as Nunnelee and Pruitt’s voices blend harmoniously, backed by a more ambient and experimental production.
The last track, “Are You Proud Of Me?,” begins with a sample of Nunnelee’s grandmother singing Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard’s “It’s My Lazy Day,” letting listeners know that they are in for an emotional ride to close the album. His deeper vocals overlay a soft, distant piano line, giving the song a down-to-earth feel as he sings, “Even if I’m not the person you always hoped that I would be / Are you proud of me?” The layered gang vocals and jazzy piano riffs give a satisfying end to the nearly 30-minute album.
June, Baby is a stunningly thoughtful debut album about the intricacies of desire and belonging from an artist who exudes vulnerability.
Nunnelee will embark on his “June, Baby Fall Tour” in August, stopping in 36 cities along the way.