Daniel Allan Commands Attention on Debut Album, ‘Between The Lines’

23 hours ago 4

Daniel Allan’s first full-length album, Between The Lines, delivers dance-worthy tracks and sentimental moments in a pristine package of 15 tracks.

Daniel Allan has emerged as one of dance music’s brightest new stars. After dropping out of college in 2016, he dove headfirst into music production. He sacrificed comfort, sleeping in his car on and off, which was a small trade-off as he pursued his dreams of a music career.

Fast forward, and the Kentucky-born producer has made appearances this year at Ultra Miami, Bonnaroo, and Electric Forest and announced his largest tour yet. With a resume that continues to grow by the minute, Daniel Allan adds to his hot streak with the release of his debut album, Between The Lines.

Right off the bat, it was clear the body of work was carefully constructed, with each song seamlessly blending as listeners immerse themselves within the next chapter of the story. Daniel Allan did a phenomenal job presenting a sonic journey rather than a collection of piecemeal singles.

The intro “15 Love” is a nod to tennis, the sport he dedicated ample time to up until he left college. The cinematic track sets the stage for Between The Lines‘ subsequent productions. “Take Me Under” melts into the mix with Liv Grace Blue‘s soulful vocals. Belting out the lyrics “Take me under. Say all the words that I want to forget tonight,” Blue captivates with a story of craving someone detrimental to your emotional health.

Daniel Allan continues to evoke emotion on the bouncy track “Reasons” with y3kfae as the singer ruminates on what went wrong with a relationship. Continuing with the theme of love songs, “You Can’t Hide” with Justin Jay is impactful as vocalist No/Me calls out, “Show me who you are. Open up the hallways of your mind. If I ask you, would you let me inside?” The struggle of knowing someone’s underlying feelings beneath their cold stone exterior resonates all too well.

Showcasing his diversity, “Spit It Out” amps things up as the tracks shift from lighter, emotionally-driven productions to party-forward moments. Allan experiments with bass on the dynamic and sassy song that brings y3kfae back into the mix, “Gloss.” Released as a single from the album, Daniel Allan creates tension by incorporating melodic moments sprinkled throughout the bass for maximum impact.

Between The Lines takes a turn once more as “6927” transitions the journey back toward brighter tones. While most of the previous songs were released as singles, the following five tracks are new to listeners. “Halo” with fkblnde delivers unparalleled energy coursing through your veins as the dynamic drop kicks in, and the song propels at hyperspeed. Things get sentimental as the music slows and a male voice enters the bridge, stating that Allan’s years of hard work are finally paying off.

The warm fuzzies continue in a heartfelt, not cheesy, way with the album’s title track. Opening with a recording of Allan stoked on having lasers for the first time, the song unfolds into a powerful spoken-word poem. Known for his moving intros that accompany his milestone live performances, this is the perfect addition to his debut full-length LP.

The biggest standout on the album is “Free.” Songstress Allegra Miles belts over the vibrant tune that has all the makings of a hit. It’s impossible not to picture lasers slicing through the crowd when listening to the complex, layered production. Featuring splashes of keys, adlibs, and zap effects, “Free” is going to do some damage this festival season.

Hitting us in the feels one last time, the closing track “Survive” ends with a female’s voice stating, “I’m just really proud of you.” Having delivered a debut album with no skips, Daniel Allan should indeed be proud of himself.

Daniel Allan’s debut album, Between The Lines, is out now! Head to the streaming platform of your choice to give it a spin and follow along on social media for upcoming tour announcements.