Daniel Lerner – Decorator (2022)
Known for his simplistic acoustic-inspired sound, US-based Daniel Lerner shows that no bells and whistles are required for good music. Featured on Our Sound Music, NPR Music, Music Is To Blame and various playlists, this singer-songwriter is turning heads across the globe with his unique style. Already reaching our ears with his single ‘Harvest The Moon’, Lerner is a gem we are following – and we think you should join us. Come with us as we delve into his latest release Decorator.
Following his single ’22 (falling)’, Daniel Lerner traverses several genres in his four-track EP Decorator. Reflective, sincere and sentimental, Decorator connects on a personal level with audiences. Touching on the vulnerability experienced in relationships, the tracks aim to view relationships from a variety of perspectives creating a whole picture in the end. Lerner explains that the EP has the goal of creating a journey from letting go to moving on.
“’Scene of the Petty Crime’ is about the tendency to want to walk away from a relationship blaming the other person and deciding to accept that it’s no one’s fault in the end. ‘Trinket’ is a bit more self-explanatory…feeling like you’re someone’s background noise, their interior decorations rather than an active participant in their life. ‘Harvest The Moon’ is a self-reflecting and contemplative song about wanting to be there for someone while also giving them space.” – Daniel Lerner on Decorator
Adopting a DIY approach, Decorator was self-recorded and produced by Lerner in his bedroom studio. A mostly solo production, the EP captures the themes in an acoustic-inspired indie-folk style. An almost entirely acoustic arrangement, Lerner really captures the sense of fragility in his songs. While electric guitars and synths can be intimate, there is something about an acoustic performance that plunges you into the depths of emotion – Lerner has achieved this.
Instead of taking us immediately into a swirl of sound with powerful drums and dynamic guitars, Lerner opens Decorator with the introductory ‘Overture’. The gentle, soothing and almost hazy ambience from ‘Overture’ prepares you for the emotional journey – or at least, it appears to from the smooth instrumentation. Then again, the hard-hitting nature of ‘Scene of the Petty Crime’, ‘Trinket’ and ‘Harvest The Moon’ sends your soul soaring without any chance of preparation.
Interestingly enough, while the songs shine within the same sonic tapestry, the diversity of the tracks makes them seem almost worlds apart. Eclectic and slightly obscure, Lerner adds a contemporary edginess to folk sounds of yesteryear. I cannot wait for more from this talented artist.
For more from Daniel Lerner check out his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
