Gus Dapperton, Medicine | Track Review 🎵

Alternative pop musician Gus Dapperton shines on “Medicine,” the third advance single from his sophomore album, Orca.

Gus Dapperton is a really intriguing musician.  Furthermore, he’s quite unique when it comes to his style. He released his debut album, the colorfully titled Where Polly People Go to Read in 2019. Now, he’s back in 2020 with his sophomore project, Orca (September 18).  Way to be prolific Gus! In advance of Orca, Dapperton has released a trio of singles (as of publication): “First Aid”, “Post Humorous”, and the song at hand, “Medicine.” “Medicine,” the first single I’ve managed to hear in advance of Orca, is a surefire winner.

From the start, Gus sets us up for an alternative pop bop, period.  The production, done by himself, fits well.  Piano leads the way through much of the early part of the song.  Even so, this is no piano ballad – there’s consistent rhythm.  Furthermore, on the second half of the song, the production grows in size and scope.  Similarly, Dapperton’s vocals kick into that next gear, particularly the third and fourth verses.  If he concentrates on his lower, mid register on the first two verses, he ascends into his glorious, powerful upper register on the final two verses.  The final chorus and outro specifically are epic to the nth degree.  So, awesome production, high-flying vocals – what about the songwriting?

The songwriting is pretty sweet too! There are definitely some creative, poetic lyrics throughout.  The second verse in particularly shines: “We’re a product of a crowded youth / And though I’m vain, full of pride / Strictly cavalier inside / I’d scratch all that I amounted to.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, period:

“I don’t ever wanna let you go
You’re the only one who lets me in
But every time I try to hold my own
Yeah, I can never seem to get a grip
And I don’t ever wanna give you up
I always say I’ll get a head of it
But every time they try to fix me up
I get addicted to the medicine.”

Final Thoughts 

If you have yet to get hip to Gus Dapperton, well, now’s the time! “Medicine” is awesome from start to finish.  Great vocals, great production, and great songwriting make this a must-hear alternative bop.

Gus Dapperton • Orca • AWAL • Release: 9.18.20

Photo Credits: Gus Dapperton / AWAL