Rising British alternative pop band daydreamers are excited to release their debut self-titled EP, daydreamers. The dazzling eight-track project is buoyed by a slew of previously shared buzz-generating songs and includes the brand-new single “We Don’t Need To Do Forever.”
The EP follows the narrative of the lifecycle of a relationship, and ultimately the grieving process that comes with what could have been. A personal story for lead singer and principal songwriter Riley, the project came together all while he was experiencing these songs in real life. New single “We Don’t Need To Do Forever” is the rush from first meeting someone, while viral debut single “Call Me Up” is the high that comes from the start of a relationship. “All I Ever Dream About” is the honeymoon, while “Colourblind” is when red flags are out of sight, out of mind. “Don’t Delete My Number” is the end of the relationship, when you’re ghosted, and “Hope You’re Happy” is the denial. Closing track “Beach House” is a reflection on it all, the acceptance, and ultimately missing the times you’ve idealized in your head.
“Lyrically, I hope it’s the sort of record that you can listen to on headphones and feel like it’s helping you get through something – meeting someone for the first time, falling in love, going through a break up,” says Riley. “Musically it’s uplifting though, optimistic and hopeful. I think those two things are what I aim for when writing.”
Answers by lead singer Riley
What’s the story behind the EP?
I guess it’s the last couple of years of my life, spending most of my time working different jobs while writing from my single bedroom in north london. I’d just gone through a break up, I was working different jobs, writing music, meeting new people. The EP became this sort of storyline about the start of a relationship – first meeting somebody, getting infatuated with them, and then things breaking down. I wrote and produced the demos for a lot of it on headphones in my bedroom, then ended up cutting down my hours at work to move in with my manager Will. We got in with the rest of the guys to finish things up and have been releasing those songs throughout the year.
What inspired you to write it? What’s the main message behind it?
Writing songs has been an obsession for as long as I can remember, I guess the inspiration comes through everything that happens in my life. I just want it to create the same feeling for people listening that I got while writing it.
Why did you choose We Don’t Need To Do Forever as the next single? What is it about?
It’s funny because it was going to be one of the first ones we put out! Then we posted Call Me Up and that went crazy. I think this one is a really good representation of the energy we bring, and it’s songs like this that set the benchmark for how we want to expand the sound in the future. With the song, I fall in love way too easily and am a bit of a deep thinker when it comes to relationships, so I think this was a moment of trying to relax a bit and come to peace with that.
Who are your favorite artists of all time and why?
Two artists come to mind immediately, John Mayer got me playing guitar and Radiohead got me into what’s possible making music. I’ve always just loved building these little worlds that people live in for 3 minutes, or 40 minutes, or whatever. I think Continuum and Kid A are amazing examples of that at different ends of the spectrum.
What inspires your sound and creative dynamics in your band?
Music that feels timeless is always the thing that we want to aim for. The music was written to be performed live, and I think that’s something I kept in mind a lot while writing, and we all thought about while recording. Vulfpeck is such a cool modern day example, their recordings feel as modern sounding as anything else out right now, but done in a way that feels timeless. Not that we’re much like Vulfpeck, but that excites me a lot I guess.
What was the record or song that made you realize you wanted to be an artist in the first place?
I think the two albums I mentioned before, Kid A and Continuum were the big ones. But the biggest moment for me was when I got a laptop and learned how to produce, that was such a game changer because everything became so malleable. So from then I just spent all of my time writing songs until other people thought they were good. I’m still hoping that’s the case.
Why Sad Euphoria as a sound description?
I think I’ve always connected with lyrics when they never quite get what they want. I think whenever I’m lowest is when I need music the most, but then whenever I’m low I need a reason to get back up. The music that I love has done that for me, so I guess that’s the thing to aim for.
What are the main themes of your storytelling and what other topics would you like to explore?
Relationships, dating, heartbreak, nostalgia, daydreaming in a lot of ways I guess. The songs I’m writing now for the next releases are a little darker in tone, and I think it’s really exciting to explore that sort of stuff right now.
What are your plans for 2025?
We’re on a UK tour in April, and we’ll be rolling out our next songs from the album we’re recording in December. The songs are written, and we’re booked out for a couple weeks to record. The songs are the best we’ve ever had and I can’t wait to share them.
