Our summertime spotlight single would appear to be focused on the weather but that’s just a ruse designed to obscure an exploration of some darker themes. After a year of intermittent singles releases the most immediate vibe from Nottingham’s Davoli is a Jeff Tweedy Americana sort of feel. It’s the prominence of acoustic guitars in the mix and the slight twang embedded in proceedings. But on this most recent 45 he pushes the pop pedal a bit harder, shifting the results into a more Ben Kweller or Brendon Benson territory. “Sunny Day” has both a timely summer theme and a hooky strummy tune. It kinda sneaks up on you, kicking off with an even tempo and pacing, but throughout the lead guitar throws out striking licks and interventions that jar the listener in most pleasant ways. Vocally I hear Benson’s candy-coated, AM radio-worthy smooth delivery tying everything together. And yet the song’s sunny musical disposition seems strangely at odds with its more melancholy lyrical themes. Maybe that’s the tension that helps make this single soar. In terms of the arc of this artist’s musical development, I like where this is going. Past singles were great but this new direction has a bit more heft and impact to my ears. An album’s worth more of this good same would not go amiss in my record collection.

Deets on Davoli are sparse but you can check out his quintet of singles here.

Rollercoaster photo courtesy Swizzle Studios.