Just ahead of debut album ‘Sit Still, Look Pretty’, Teen-pop newcomer Daya releases her final pre-release single, “Cool.”

It has been a gradual process for 18-year old (As of October 24) pop up-and-comer Daya.  2016 has marked a couple of notable breakthrough moments for the pop newcomer.  The first is her feature on The Chainsmokers’ top-five hit, “Don’t Let Me Down.”  The second is her own single, “Sit Still, Look Pretty,” originally released in 2015. “Sit Still, Look Pretty” also happens to be the title of her full-length debut.  Ahead of Sit Still, Look Pretty, Daya releases one final pre-release single, “Cool.”

“Cool” features a hypnotizing groove from the onset that’s looped over and OVER. Daya delivers clear vocals, impressive considering her age.  Expectedly, the chorus is a selling point:

“Let’s just sit back and cruise, cruise, cruise / that’s all I wanna do, do, do / I know you want it, too, too, too / it’s perfect cause there’s never any pressure, baby / you know how to keep it cool”

Beyond the vocals and the chorus, “Cool” feels as if it merely floats.  Sometimes that’s a pro, but in this case, the record could use more “bite.”  “Cool” feels absolutely too cool and casual.  It lacks a “killer instinct.”

 Final Thoughts 

First and foremost, Daya sounds respectable on “Cool.” That said, “Cool” feels too light.  It lacks the punch to make it truly engaging.  The production work is interesting, yet off-putting.  This record feels misguided, not a surefire smash.  “Sit Still, Look Pretty,” which can grow annoying as a four-letter word, easily trumps “Cool.”

Daya • Sit Still, Look Pretty • RED (Sony) • Release: 10.7.16 

Photo Credit: RED (Sony)