Zella Day, 'Kicker' Review

At only 20 years old, Zella Day is giving Lana del Rey a run for her money. With the recent release of her debut album ‘Kicker,’ Day proves her worth, not only as the next big thing in pop, but as a total badass. Even before the release of an album, Day has sold out most dates on her current U.S. and European tour dates, and has drawn crowds to festivals like Lollapalooza and South by Southwest. Not to mention, her hits have been featured in major films and television shows like upcoming The Finest Hours and Pretty Little Liars.

It is no wonder why Day has found success so quickly - her music is catchy; and not in that irritating catchy-radio way. She has a way of taking modern pop and placing her own unique, Bohemian twist on it. Pair Day’s mesmerizing vocals with her ‘60s flair and she can’t be stopped. Imagine Lana del Rey’s ‘Born to Die,’ but with an upbeat kick and a small ray of sunshine and you’ve got Zella Day. The Day-Rey comparisons are endless, but honestly fans of Lana will love this new find.

‘Kicker’ has the ability to put listeners in a trance with the perfect balance of love-struck ballads and party anthems. It is the type of album to be put on repeat and no matter how many times you listen, you’ll always find a new favorite. The 12 tracks blend effortlessly between Day’s raw vocals backed by confident electronic beats or soothing acoustics.

The only potential suggestion for this entrancing album is to change up the track list to really show off Day’s talent. The album starts off with Day taking it down a notch, spilling her emotions in the love-sick anthem, “Jerome.” A much better option would have been the hypnotic hit, “East of Eden.” The track encaptures listeners with the bouncy lyrics “Pink toes press against the carpet, show your face and finish what you started.” From there on, you won’t be sure what exactly is coming next.

No matter which track you start with, it is obvious to hear that Day is not afraid to strip down and share her soul in every way possible. ‘Kicker’ explores the relatable and ever complicated relationships that come with young love. Day’s newest hit, “High,” describes the complexities of what is to be assumed a past or present relationship that requires some outside substances to keep it prospering. “Don’t worry baby, don’t you cry. As long as we keep getting high,” she sings against pounding drums and electronica features. Album underdog “Ace of Hearts” features Day desperately singing out “I get the feeling I’m giving up on something I love, too much. The sweetest misery that’s taking me, I’m lost in the rush,” that could make any listener feel her pain.

However, the album is not a downer by any means. Hits like “Hypnotic” and “Sweet Ophelia” bring ‘Kicker’ to life as sure bets on any Spotify “party playlists.” Day has a way of mixing her sensuality and dreamy disposition into absolute chart toppers. The middle of the album serves as a nice reminder that Day just wants to have fun with “Mustang Kids” featuring R&B artist Baby E. Another “fun” track worth noting is “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” which goes to prove that Day is capable of not only of singing from her own experiences, but is a fabulous storyteller (unless she was actually an outlaw at some point in life).

Day ends her album with the beautiful and dreamy “Compass,” almost as if it is a come down from the all encompassing high that is ‘Kicker.’

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