Dominic Fike, Sunburn | Album Review 💿

The handsome, talented, and versatile Dominic Fike delivers an authentic, honest, and overall enjoyable sophomore album with Sunburn.

So, was 🎙 Dominic Fike an industry plant? At one point, that is how some folks characterized the alternative artist – initially a rapper, mind you – who secured a four million dollar record deal with Columbia. The thing is, while there are industry plants (that’s part of business), Fike has proved himself to be incredibly talented and versatile – rapper, singer, and actor.  On his sophomore album, 💿 Sunburn, Fike is restless (in a good way), showing off his versatility stylistically, and penning/co-penning some authentic, honest, and enjoyable songs.  Sunburn isn’t perfect, but Dom does a pretty fine job bringing us into his life on this often personal, always honest sophomore LP.

“How Much Is Weed?”

“Photo album but the color faded from it / If I could go back and tell ya how it ends, I woulda done it / Don’t look down. Woo! Dominic Fike commences Sunburn with a bang with 🤩 🎵 “How Much Is Weed?”. It falls somewhere between alternative pop with its use of guitar and groove, and alternative rap with Fike’s agile rhymes.  Dom is most fired up in the second verse, yielding no shortage of intensity.  “She went to jail and shit went left, and I was left,” he spits, adding, “I did my best, I needed rest, I got arrested.” This, of course, references a dark time for Fike’s mom and himself.  Just two minutes and change, “How Much Is Weed?” sets the tone for Sunburn.

“You looked at me different / (In the middle of, in the middle of) / And held me like you missed me…” 🤩 🎵 “Ant Pile” is not only the second track from Sunburn but also the second single.  Written by Fike and 🎼 ✍ Julian Cruz, the brief number is produced by Fike, Cruz, 🎛 Henry Kwapis, Jim-E Stack, and Devin Workman. “Ant Pile” is firmly planted in the alternative realm – there is a mix of styles –  yet starkly contrasts the opening track, 🎵 “How Much Is Weed?”. Fike recollects on love, beginning in the first grade! In the first verse, he asserts, “First grade (First grade) / Somebody tied you to an ant pile / And that wasn’t even the worst day / Back then you knew I always liked you…” The relationship evolves, including doing it (“Said let’s get home before your mom does”).  Throughout the verses, the memories are vivid, with the final verse yielding more memorable moments: “I’ve seen you fall to pieces / Seen you completely naked / There’s no more ways you can surprise me.” 🎵 “Ant Pile”, always interesting, has grown on me more since listening to the entirety of Sunburn.  

🤩 🎵 “Think Fast,” Sunburn’s longest song, features a big named guest – 🎙 Weezer. It actually isn’t far-fetched that Dominic Fike collaborates with 🎙 Rivers Cuomo and company. “Think Fast” interpolates Weezer’s 🎵 “Undone (The Sweater Song)”, hence the feature and songwriting credit for Cuomo. The first verse of “Think Fast” is more melodic, followed by the centerpiece, chorus.  The second verse finds Fike dipping into his rap side before returning to his melodic sensibilities at the end and into the dynamic bridge.  The energy on the bridge is electric and sets up “Think Fast” for a big finish.  All told, it’s interesting. I appreciate how the interpolation works within the cut, particularly melodically in the first verse.

“Sick”

Following 🎵 “Think Fast,” 🎵 “Sick” returns to the brevity dominating SUNBURN.  The pace is quick, and Fike delivers a playful vocal performance.  He gives us a bit of everything: falsetto, mid register, undertone, and vocals with effects contrasting the timbre.  “Sick” is a bit all over the place, but even so, there are some creative musical cues, and it never fails to engage.  🤩 🎵 “7 Hours” follows, with chill, mellow vibes. The sound – the production – is a selling point.  Some of the brightest spots regarding the backdrop include Fike’s guitaring, as well as the backing choir, which elevates the spirit 🙌. Furthermore, it benefits from a smooth, tuneful chorus. In the verses, Dom delivers an alluring cadence and flow FTW.

“Weather controls your day / People make up your mind / Until you can’t even tell / When someone gives you a sign.” Fike urges us to focus on the things we can control and embrace the positives and opportunities in life. He has us 🤩 🎵 “Dancing in the Courthouse” on the single that shows him moving beyond adversity, something his family have experienced their fair share of. Life hasn’t been easy, however, he’s a prime example of overcoming as that this song superbly conveys. The best moment” is the chorus, with captivating lyrics and a tuneful melody:     

“Put ‘em on trial (On trial)    

Make ‘em dance for it in the courthouse    

Make a stand for it or it don’t count (Or it don’t count)    

Be the landlord of the whole town (Of the whole town)    

Put ‘em on edge (On edge)    

Make the judge jump and hit the two-step (Yeah, hit the two-step)    

And make the jury come up with two guesses (Up with two guesses)    

And lose interest, then they make up a new sentence.” 

Beyond theme, lyrics, and an intriguing music video, the sound is stunning too.  The warmness of the guitar at the onset is a stellar touch.  Furthermore, the prominence of guitar throughout is awesome 🤘.Vocally, Fike sounds authentic, honest, and expressive, delivering both beauty and grit.

Appears in 🔻:    

• ‘Oh, The PLACES You’ll Go’ on These 15 Songs (2023) 
• Awesome Songs: April 2023  
• Best Songs of 2023 (So Far) 
• 15 Epic Songs Fueled by DANCE 🕺🪩 (2023)

“Mona Lisa”

Noticeably, 🤩 🎵 “Mona Lisa” sounds much more, um, urban compared to much of Sunburn.  Sure, Dominic Fike has served up the rhymes throughout, but this record is more pop/R&B minded, ditching alternativeness.  Look at the credits on this soundtrack cut, and it makes sense why. “Mona Lisa” contrasts everything else – it’s produced by 🎛 Will Yanez, Beat Butcha, Kenny Beats, and StarGate.  This record thrives because Fike is cool but exudes swagger.  The chorus and post-chorus are utterly infectious.   Maybe it doesn’t fit, but at the same time, if it doesn’t fit, it’s a highlight because it doesn’t fit, if that makes any sense!

🎵 “Bodies” maintains some of the pop flair of 🎵 “Mona Lisa”.  Fike reflects on relationships, starting with quite a bang: “I couldn’t be all alone in this world / I’d be hanging from my neck, if she didn’t come check for me.” Woo!  The second verse also has a bang, too. “If I’d put a belly on ya, maybe coulda made it last / She got a baby daddy who keep bringing up the kid,” he sings (or melodically raps), later adding, “And if you lost the county of your body count / It’s okay, baby, we can start fresh today, hey.” “Bodies” makes you think.  Other bright spots include the chorus, as well as a refrain highlighting starting fresh, backed by choir singing “hallelujah.”

“Same shit, but different days where I’m from / Bitches droppin’ like old ladies and such.” Woo! The title track, 🤩 🎵 “Sunburn,” enters the fray as the ninth track. It sounds very Floridian to be honest.  By Floridian, it gives those chill, beachy vibes.  Furthermore, this alt rap joint features a fitting backdrop, blending both the hip-hop and alternative facets of Fike. Once more, he impresses with this rhymes and delivers a memorably sung chorus: “Hold on, misdemeanor / Can you slow down?”

“Pasture Child”

One of many choruses from Sunburn you won’t be able to forget hails from the 10^th track, 🎵 “Pasture Child,” specifically the lyric: “Back before we went digital, digital, digital.” Hmm, what does it mean? Make it make sense! On the track, Fike takes a nostalgic narrative approach, focusing mostly on a nameless girl. Of course, this girl made him feel some type of way, and their interactions pre-dated more sophisticated technological interactions that are firmly planted in dating.  “Pasture Child” wasn’t a favorite listening to Sunburn initially but proves itself as more of a grower not a shower 😜! 

🎵 “4×4” is NOT about four-wheel drive.  Furthermore, it’s not about construction, or at least literal construction.  Fike mentions plywood metaphorically, not literally: “Four-by-four / You build your own life story / Build your own life story / Build your own.” Prior to this, he delivers some morbid lyricism, which reflects on a life where the story didn’t go as planned.  Fitting the somberness, Dominic sings with a more refined, smoother tone to capture the sentiment of the lyrics. Like “Pasture Child,” revisiting “4×4” unveils the full scope of its magic. 

🤩 🎵 “Frisky” is a ball of fun that lives up to its frisky title.  The personality that Dominic Fike exudes is both impressive and infectious.  The playful, assertive nature of his pipes is utterly sublime.  However, it’s not only dynamic vocals, but we also get slick, harmonized backing vocals, and some falsetto too 💪.  The instrumental is #WINNING too, with a cooking groove, lit rhythmic guitar and guitar riffs, and that anchoring bass line.

“Mama’s Boy” 

“You’re such a doll and I’m a boy / Where did my parents go? (Oh, oh) I’m not in Italy…” Initially, I found single 🤩 🎵 “Mama’s Boy” to be an acquired taste.  The sound is ear-catching, particularly how Fike sings,  prompting several listens to discern what’s happening. As unique as the sound is, the theme and lyrics are arguably the bigger story. “Mama’s Boy” finds Dom singing about a doll, as well as his mother. “You’re made of plastic, I’m just blood,” Fike sings regarding the doll in the pre-chorus, continuing, “When I was born, you were produced.” Typically, when one is referred to as a mama’s boy, they are closest with their mother.  There are various references to Fike’s childhood.  In the chorus, he asserts, “I wish I was a toy / You say, ‘Hahahahahaha’ / And you laugh / And I cry.” Very intriguing.  Clearly, there is a something deeper here, which makes “Mama’s Boy” thought-provoking. The second verse also catches the ear, as Dom contradicts independence and reliance on mama.  Another unique aspect of “Mama’s Boy” is the outro, where mama’s boy is spelled out – fitting given the concept.  Although quirky, the 13^th track is nonetheless, intriguing.

🎵 “Dark” finds Dominic getting personal regarding his life.  He mentions rehab, becoming a different person, one he regrets, and constantly cites his brother: “You remember when Alex had no front teeth?” Fike not only mentions his mother on “Dark,” but she also appears in the outro, with the key word and idea being remembering the past. It’s a fitting penultimate track. Sunburn concludes with the raw 🎵 “What Kinda Woman” which finds Fike showing off his ripe falsetto, accompanying himself sensationally on guitar.  “What Kinda Woman” showcases Fike’s talent and versatility.

Final Thoughts 💭 

All in all, 💿 Sunburn is a fine project by Dominic Fike. One of the biggest selling points is the assortment of styles he incorporates throughout the album.  This restlessness can make Sunburn a bit ‘all over the place’ too, but also shows that Fike shouldn’t be pigeonholed. The balance between rapping and singing is also notable, with Dom giving us a little bit of everything. Sunburn is not the perfect LP, but well-rounded, and the type of album that you hear something new you didn’t hear the last time you listened. A winner in my eyes.

🤩 Gems 💎: “How Much Is Weed?”, “Ant Pile,” “Think Fast,” “7 Hours,” “Dancing in the Courthouse,” “Mona “Lisa,” “Sunburn,” “Frisky” & “Mama’s Boy”   

🎙 Dominic Fike • 💿 Sunburn • 🏷 Sandy’s Boys, LLC / Columbia • 🗓 7.7.23 

[📷: Sandy’s Boys, LLC / Columbia]