"Dominic Fike - Sunburn" Half-Baked

 

    If I had to describe Dominic Fike, I would say I only remember him being that character in Euphoria that I hardly remember, and that he sang a song that went on way too long in the TV show. Other than that, I think he looks like Timo Cruz from Coach Carter, and I still think Timo Cruz is still cooler. Regardless, I do actually like two, maybe three songs from Fike, and considering how he's trying to make himself as this "accessible indie artist" I'd hope that would be the case. I thought Hey Blondie from the Barbie movie soundtrack was actually a pretty cute track, I have a soft spot for that one, Babydoll is a genuinely catchy track from him though, and despite being so short that song's been stuck in my mind for longer than it should have. Oh, he was also in Photo ID with Remi Wolf but frankly I don't think he added too much to the song. He also did that decent cover of Bags by Clairo, but reaslitically all I remember Fike for is making short songs that rarely hit, but hey maybe he's an album artist instead of a singles artist. Regardless, I think it's only fair to give him a fair shakedown, and so without further ado, my track-by-track review of Sunburn by Dominic Fike.

Sunburn - Dominic Fike

How Much Is Weed? - 75/100 Solid opener I guess, I'm not the craziest about Fike's rapping but the chorus is decently catchy at least. Not sure why the title is what it is but honestly I'm kind of digging it.

Ant Pile - 50/100 Well this is a departure from the rapping, I hear guitars. I'm interested to see if any of these songs really feel fleshed out considering a lot of them are slower but also only 2 minutes long? I suspect that might be a weakness. I'm not too hot about the chorus on this song frankly, if you're going to have a song that's 2 minutes long it's pretty important it's catchy or else it's just a short song that kind of passes you by. Chorus kind of reminds me of Harry Styles in a bad way and the guitars make it sound like a weird weezer ripoff

Think Fast (feat. Weezer) - 80/100 What Weezer is doing on this song I couldn't tell you, but they also have collaborated with AJR in the past so I wouldn't consider Rivers Cuomo the greatest indicator of taste. It's using the same verses as Undone, and I'm intrigued already. While I'm sure for indie boys it's cool to have acoustic guitars I feel like this song could have started off a bit more anthemic with an electric guitar. Honestly, good song, nothing too bad and the slow buildup is pretty good.

Sick - 60/100 This beat is something I'll tell you that much, honestly, I don't really hate this album that much, I mean I don't think it's that good, like I said I'm scared most of these songs might just be underdeveloped and he's not proving me wrong so far. There are some interesting aspects to this song it's got this little pep in this step but the chorus is just so darn short does Fike have commitment issues or something?

7 Hours - 40/100 Look if you're going to do the acoustic guitar sad boy indie thing people expect you to sound pretty sincere and laid back, being drenched in autotune like you're singing hyperpop without the crazy synths isn't going to cut it. I mean it's not awful and there's only so many times I can repeat the songs are underbaked thing, but the autotune does bring it down.

Dancing In The Courthouse - 58/100 This is supposed to be one of the more popular songs off the album so I'm interested to see what happens. Oh never mind what is this chorus. It's not that I don't like the melody or I think the lyrics are super cringy but it's just his delivery and performance of it I feel like a better artist could have totally pulled off this song and made it sound better.

Mona Lisa - 73/100 This song was in Across the Spider-Verse? I don't remember it at all. The beat in the verse isn't too bad to be honest, I'm kind of digging this track. I'm not sure how I feel about the post-chorus where he's just saying Mona Lisa a bunch but the verses and choruses aren't too shabby I think I enjoy it. Pretty solid.

Bodies - 63/100 I'm not sure how I feel about the remixed hallelujah's dispersed all throughout the refrain I just don't think it works well. Also shoutout Remi Wolf it was nice to hear her she's carrying this track as usual.

Sunburn - 65/100 What the hell is he singing about I heard stuff about juvie is he singing about life in prison? I'm not the hottest about this song the chorus is cool and all and it's longer I'll give it that but once again Fike's rapping point seems to be a point of contention that I can't seem to escape.

Pasture Child - 65/100 I feel like this song could have been better if it wasn't for the fact that the chorus was kind of weak. I feel like Fike has some idea's and melodies he just needs someone to push him to do more than just the sad boy indie thing if he could get someone to inject some energy in him and tell him to try more these songs could be better. Certainly a guitar solo of all time is he too scared to show much energy is that like a rule of being a laid-back sad boy indie guy?

4x4 - 45/100 Oh no a slow song by Mr. Fike. It's like he doesn't know when a song just needs his voice and nothing else. I can see why his songs are so short now he doesn't have enough interesting things to say in them.

Frisky - 75/100 Woah is he actually trying to sing in a different way I'm proud of him it's making a good difference. Who knew all that it took for him to make better songs was to just have mor energy like I predicted. I can see why someone might think this kind of singing is annoying but frankly after everything he hasn't given during this album, this is a welcome change.

Mama's Boy - 55/100 He just needs better musicians around him why does he sound so distant and soft no one understands what he's saying man please Dominic you can make half decent albeit generic indie music so why won't you? 

Dark - 40/100 What does this man have against choruses? Why are so many of them short, or you can just barely hear them, so you look away for a second and it's already gone and you just end up asking yourself what the hell happened and what did he do. Song's boring as hell.

What Kinda Woman - 70/100 Woah he isn't using autotune for once? Not sure how I feel about his falsetto but you know what I appreciate it after all he's failed to do. Kind of fun I dig it, y'know what good closer Mr. Fike.

Final Score: 65/100

    Honestly, not the worst album I've heard. I will say this, it's messy and underdeveloped, and that really shows in my ratings. While he's not the most original artist, I do think that there are some decent indie boy tracks that could be refined to really have me keep Fike on my radar. The issue is that most of his songs are just too short, so they never end up amounting to anything, and it feels like he needs someone to push him in the right direction. From non-existent choruses, to singing in the same '"laid-back" way for 70% of these songs, I wouldn't really recommend this album, but if you do, you'll probably find some songs to enjoy, so honestly, pretty much in line with how I thought about him before.