Artists You Should Know: D. Dan
D. Dan
Most artists (especially up-and-coming) strive to put out work that no one has ever heard. But in a world where music relies on clichés and music theory, D. Dan does not care if his work is different from others. For him, it is about being able to incorporate different aspects of music production into something that makes sense. D. Dan has a very solid understanding of the foundations of House and Electronic music. He is someone to be on the lookout for as his following and fanbase are growing every day. He has many upcoming shows for his tour and the world is waiting.
“Raw Jam” is a song that showcases his understanding of House music. It uses the most basic elements of the genre, specifically a slow buildup. This song was made to be a part of DJ sets. Being a DJ himself, D. Dan knows how to warm up the audience. House music, especially in DJ sets, is about the underlying groove. Production-wise, it is a genre where all the elements of a song fit together seamlessly with minimal mistakes. The song isn’t anything different from what we’ve already heard, but this is just the beginning of D. Dan. It allows you to get to become familiar with D. Dan’s fortés and style.
On the other side of D. Dan’s discography are his intricate songs. “Post Kyiv” is a song that shows D. Dan’s production skills on another level. This song has elements that are different from D. Dan’s normal production style. The drum line is light and fluffy in comparison to his other work, and the synths are bright, out there, and easy on the ears. The song also has a consistent structure to it. There is tension and release, moments that are loud, and moments that are soft. Although D. Dan uses repetition, he adds elements to the song to keep it interesting. The synthesizers are clean and layered in a way where it is fun to listen to. They also give the listener a sense of nostalgia, with 1980s vibes. Because D. Dan’s work normally takes on a darker tone, this song provides diversity to his discography. Overall, this song is one of D. Dan’s classics and can be classified as one of his best works.
D. Dan is also known for his remixes. “Mutant Exotic - D. Dan Remix” is one of his classic remixes. Those who know about the original “Mutant Exotic” by LSDXOXO know that it takes on more of a chill vibe. The original has drowned-out vocals, light & airy synths, and a slower drum groove. It is difficult to imagine the song arranged in any other way. D. Dan’s remix makes sense. It starts out with a rather dark drum groove. The sounds are still standard to House music, but this remix isn’t about that. It is about what D. Dan does with the sounds, and how he builds the instrumental around the vocals. He doesn’t heavily alter the vocal mix. It stays true to the original and adds to the airiness of the song. It is a good remix and shows that as an artist, D. Dan is an all-rounder.
Overall, D. Dan is bringing innovation back into House music. Although he sticks true to the sounds of House music, there is something new and refreshing about the way he crafts his songs. His popularity is consistently growing, and although he is based in Germany, the rest of the world is hearing him. He is a force to be reckoned with in the industry, and he will only continue to wow us.
