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Thinking of someone as perfect is an emotionally taxing thing for some. For Danny Arcane, it’s the least he can do.
Raised between the U.K. and the States, Arcane has a witches brew of musical influences from both sides of the pond. On “Precious Stones,” the new single we’re helping him debut today, that manifests in sonic memories of Mac DeMarco and Arctic Monkeys that come together in a nice blend of chummy guitars.
A sweetly iridescent sound glows from those pickups, making for a bright indie-rock tune with a focused arrangement that puts the guitars front and center while tossing the listener back and forth between some sweet melodies. The song has some lyrical sway as well, with each verse opening on a primary color as Arcane compares loved ones to jewels, going through every hue in the rainbow to make their worth known:
Ruby red
Get it through your head
You’re a diamond in the rough
You need someone else instead
Pretty blue
Are the eyes on you
Yet you can’t seem to see
All the lies in front of you
He says, “You're mine”
Like he dug you from the dirt
He digs his grave
Arcane’s clever writing style evokes the emotional feeling of each color involved, making each verse subtly dynamic before coalescing around the same chorus that calls his subject “gold” — the ultimate comparison to show off his love.
He thinks you're a fool
But baby you’re gold
Precious stones get thrown
Cause they’re scared to be alone
Sad that you don’t even know
What your worth is … you’re perfect
The connection between jewels/precious metals and people is cathartic in its simplicity. Arcane isn’t trying to be flowery here; he’s making sure his people know their worth and that they always deserve more. To him, everyone's a diamond in the rough to cherish and hold onto forever.
His vocals reinforce the message with a rawness that adds a new layer to the song, backed by instrumentation in the chorus that provides a sweet sonic release of joy. It’s a cross-section of his overall take on indie rock that focuses on letting his vocals and guitar melodies lead the flow, with the rhythm section binding everything together. It’s regimented to the point of being engrossing.
“I wanted this one to feel like an anthem for anyone who’s been undervalued or underestimated,” Arcane said about his new track. “The song’s about realizing you’re rare, you’re valuable, and you don’t need anyone around you that thinks otherwise.”
The conflict at the heart of “Precious Stones” is so easy to connect with. What makes someone not feel like gold could come from a job, a partner or just a bad day. It’s relatable to the point that anyone listening could get lost in its essence and come out feeling alright.
Remind yourself that you’re a gem by listening to “Precious Stones” on demand using the player at the top of the page or on the 88Nine airwaves throughout today (6:30 and 10:30 a.m.; 2:30 and 6:30 p.m.). Then watch for the song’s official release this Friday, Nov. 7.
Jonathan Joseph is a Milwaukee-based multimedia freelance journalist who specializes in art and culture writing (and all things Milwaukee), with work appearing on Radio Milwaukee and in Milwaukee Magazine. Contact him via email or find him on LinkedIn.