[EXCLUSIVE] MONACO Dives Into Anticipated Debut EP, ‘The Daydream’

If you’re super elated that MONACO have finally released their long-awaited debut EP, The Daydream, you are certainly not alone! Since 2018, MONACO – fronted by musician Daniel Davis – has never failed to dazzle us with synth and indie-pop magic while striving for bigger soundscapes and dreamier lyrics to fall in love to.

Written around the story of how Davis met and fell in love with his wife, each track off of The Daydream just screams ‘relationship goals,’ only proving that maybe there really is true love out there for all of us after all; we just have to grab onto it and never let go.

We asked Davis to break down each track off of The Daydream in this exclusive track-by-track commentary, and in true MONACO fashion, he did not disappoint. So get cozy on this New Music Friday, press play and enjoy!

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Track 1 – “The Daydream”

This is the primary intro that was created for MONACO’s live shows. As soon as it starts it builds anticipation and lets you know this is something different and meaningful. I wanted it to feel cinematic; nostalgic. I wanted it to evoke memories and experiences in your life. Ultimately, I wanted this to feel like a sunrise.

Track 2 – “Blondes”

“Blondes” ties in directly with the intro and utilizes the same arpeggiated synth. It quite literally starts off with a bang. I wanted it to immediately grab your attention, from the drums, the bass and buzz drop, along with this ethereal pad and synth. Then that 4-on-the-floor kick comes in signifying that it’s about time to dance. Whether you’re at home or in the seat of your car, it makes you want to move. This song is bright, shimmery, fun, and carefree.

This song probably came to me the fastest out of all the other songs written. As happy as this song sounds, the lyrics convey mixed emotions. It may be carefree, but it’s carefree after-the-fact. It’s what ‘letting go’ the right way sounds like. I wrote this song based around certain events that took place prior to me moving to LA. Right before I left, certain old relationships sprouted back up and wanted to pick up where things had left off in the past.

It always seems like in great moments of transition, the past has a way of rearing its ugly head. Sometimes it’s people trying to pull on your heart strings and resurrect old feelings, but for their own personal gain. This song is about letting go and not settling for less than the right one. Ultimately, this song was inspired by a debate I had with my mom. She always said I’d end up marrying a blonde, but I had always been into brunettes. I told her somehow, I’d wind up with someone who is both. This was the one time I was right and my mom was wrong! I met my wife months later after moving to California and she’s a natural brunette with her hair dyed blonde.

Track 3 – “Cover Girl”

This song is unashamedly, unapologetically 80’s. I was listening to a ton of Def Leppard, Toto, Patty Smyth, Boston, and the Scorpions when driving down Pacific Coast Highway. We took a lot of trips between Newport and Huntington Beach. All of these influences can be heard in the nuances of the song, yet there’s still a signature sound prevalent in every song. This one is about the newfound love and the desire that the relationship is the real thing. It’s about how love can be both exciting, thrilling, adventurous, yet terrifying and sad all at the same time. You want this to be real and you’re afraid to lose the other person, but you’re also too prideful to let it show, until they show you that it’s okay to lay your heart out on the line. This song is about letting your guard down.

Track 4 – “Such a Vibe”

This song was the first demo I ever put out as MONACO. I wrote this song shortly after my wife and I got married. It encapsulates every stage of our relationship, from our first date to our wedding day. It contains subtle elements of dreampop, indie rock, and synth pop. There’s a little bit of everything influence wise. Fleetwood Mac, Passion Pit, The Cure, and The Strokes.

Track 5 – “Voila”

This one has the most emotion, hands down. This song is a lot like a rollercoaster. It builds up, and once it takes you to the top, there’s no going back. Everything about this song is intentional. I actually wrote both the lyrics and melody for the chorus back in spring of 2014. It was initially intended for another project that didn’t quite pan out at the time. I finished this song after our wedding and right after “Such a Vibe” came out. It embodies everything that happened leading up to that moment.

People think that when you meet the right one that everything you ever wanted just fits perfectly and all your problems go away. While they may be the right fit for you, your problems don’t go away. They amplify. Because the right one will force you to confront all the things within yourself that you’ve been too afraid to address. And they will love all of you, even the embarrassing things. I titled it “Voila” because it means “There you are.” Only for me, “There you are” means more like “At last.”

Track 6 – “Blush (Melrose Version)”

OG followers of MONACO remember the original version of “Blush.” And yes, it will be back but on a future album. I wanted to give everyone something new, a new take on “Blush.” I wanted this to evoke the feeling of what it’s like getting all dressed up and hitting West Hollywood at night (or the Upper East Side of NYC.) This track could have easily been featured on Gossip Girl back in the day, hahaha! It sounds like designer clothes and craft cocktails. The only difference is, this song wasn’t written about a material girl, it was written about a real woman. Someone who reminds you of where you came from, yet also shows you where you’re going. She can hold her own in the city, yet she can also get along with the small town you grew up in. She’s both California and Carolina for me.

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https://soundcloud.com/mrmonaco/sets/thedaydreamep