Dan Smyth releases new album ‘Eye Dream’

Hailing from Fort Wayne in Indiana, Dan Smyth has long enjoyed a successful career of writing, recording and performing during the last fifteen years. A member of the Americana outfit The Legendary Trainhoppers, who formed in the early 2000s, Dan Smyth have helped craft the band’s sonic vision via multiple well-received records and releases over the years.

Alongside his efforts in the band, Dan Smyth has also been working on his own sound, unveiling his solo project under his own name with the debut album I Can’t Wait released in 2019. Now he brings us the follow up with his sophomore full-length solo record titled Eye Dream, originally released towards the end of 2022.

While his output as part of The Legendary Trainhoppers captures a bright pop-focused Americana sound, his solo sound distils his rock influences and filters them through his unique creative lens. Linking up with previous collaborator Jason Davis to produce the record, with Eye Dream Dan Smyth delivers a charming nine-track release that offers the perfect snapshot of the latest chapter in his sonic adventure.

Opened by the instrumental piece “Night Heron,” the album kicks off with a grooving bass line riding the laid back shuffle of drums as the staccato pips of a lead synth hovers above airy sonic textures, resulting in a mellow jam that slips you into the “Eye Dream” experience. Playful, upbeat and tinged with retro pop and psychedelic vibes, it provides an intriguing introduction that sets up what follows on the album.

The gentle buzz of instrumental tones on “When It’s Real” follows, joined by intricate percussion and acoustic guitar flutters as Dan’s vocalisations thread through the arrangement. As the instrumentation dies back, his voice rings out, delivering smooth melodic leads carrying poetic lyricism as the song flows through a dreamy rock soundscape underpinned by the pulse of bass, sparse percussive shots and piquant touches of guitar.

“The One” starts with the stuttered fuzz of crunchy tones before settling into a mellow rhythm of bouncy electronic beats, deep bass tones and shimmering synth stabs that rattle among his compelling vocal lines. Crafting a buoyant sound of memorable melodic leads and a constantly shifting blend of electric piano tones, bluesy guitar plucks and reversed flourishes and electronic textures, the track reveals the depths of his creativity and original sound.

Other highlights on the record include title track “Eye Dream” with its downtempo blend of lulling bass lines and warm piano chords. Spacey synth lines snake through the arrangement as soft instrumental touches join the extended instrumental intro before Dan’s hushed and elegant voice glides in to craft an intimate ballad style scene, joined by the blissful dancing of woodwind leads.

“After the Crash” unveils yet more sides to his expansive sound with an atmospheric indie rock jam formed by the march of gritty percussion and ominous blend of echoing vocals, bold bass lines, low end piano and dub-inspired rhythms. It’s a dark and moody cut that serves up an immersive sound of subtly catchy melodic leads and slick sound design.

The record closes with “Light,” where vibrant flute style tones rise above the strums and twangs of guitars before the snap of drums propels the track forward. Fusing elements of art rock, prog and alternative pop into a spectacular soundscape that flows through a vivid sonic landscape to provide a superb finale to his sensational second record.

Listen to Eye Dream below