In celebration of The Dare’s latest release, a danceable track with a hint of griminess that has the ability within it to tap into the cultural zeitgeist…
by: Jennifer Parker
On August 7, 2024, singer / songwriter / producer Harrison Patrick Smith, who musically goes with the moniker The Dare, revealed a new song, “You’re Invited,” alongside a video directed by Jake Lazovick (listen here and watch here). It’s a track that is emphatically danceable with a hint of griminess that has the ability within it to tap into the cultural zeitgeist. I dare you to listen to Smith’s current solo project and not freak out. Call me cynical, call me jaded, call me straight up stuck in a Dua Lipa, Nelly, Kylie Minogue music rut, but I’m ecstatic about his refreshing, forthcoming album, What’s Wrong With New York?, set for release September 6 on Republic Records.
The Dare’s latest single, the aforementioned “You’re Invited,” works on a visceral level because it ignites one to get up and dance. Its strength comes from the playful mix of uptempo club music, bass guitar, and drums peppered with electronic sirens (think “Groove Is in the Heart” by Deee-lite). Having a groove is akin to laying the foundation of a pyramid. It provides the backbone for all else to follow where everything is carefully built upon the fundamental groove forging a fantastic composition.
Often, It seems as if listeners do not know exactly why they are drawn to a particular song. It may seem that the catchy lyrics or melody is the attractant but in reality the lyrics and melody are window dressing because without a deep groove, they will collapse into mediocrity. The groove is essential to the success of a song and it’s really not subjective as there’s a primal part of the human brain that differentiates groove from noise. We just know. It resonates within us and then the head bobbing commences. We consciously or subconsciously deeply feel the music while searching for that interplay between the bass and the kick drum and when we find it, we are drawn in. Then, the instrumentation and lyrics and melodies all become relevant and come to the forefront and it’s possible that one would think that is why they like the song. It appears very obvious in fact, this must be the reason…but it is not. Not really. When that groove is in play, we’re more likely to accept the rest of the song even if the lyrics are simplistic or offensive to my slightly prudish ears. This is where The Dare truly excels.
To date, from his forthcoming album The Dare has unveiled “Perfume,” which launched in July alongside a video directed by Nick Harwood. The previously released genre bending “Good Time” will also appear on the album. It’s like if punk and disco had a techno baby that was born into the world in a black suit. All the while, his 2023 track “Girls” is skyrocketing online, currently #2 on the Spotify USA Viral 50 chart.
Beyond that, if you haven’t heard Charli xcx, Billie Eilish, and The Dare’s new version of Charli’s track “Guess,” produced by The Dare, then you are missing out on one of the most irreverently subversive on-point songs about what it’s like to be a woman. Guess is projected to hit the top of the U.K. singles chart this week and the original version, which The Dare also produced, is featured on the deluxe edition of Brat. It’s definitely been a Brat summer and sans the green hair and micro mini skirts, I think the fashion world has finally caught up with me. I could wax on about “Guess” but what I think levels it up from a good song to a great one is the producer. The Dare intensifies the bass in unexpected places and pulls back to allow Charli xcx and Billie Eilish’s sultry voices to punctuate the music rather than get lost in it.
So, go ahead and try to get tickets to his first ever headline tour of North America this fall in support of the new album with every date all but sold out. The fifteen city tour kicks off at New York’s Webster Hall on September 5. Hope to see you there.
