Review of: Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya

Daya is the name of an American singer and songwriter who released her first self-titled EP in September 2015. She has had two singles peak in the top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100 with Hide Away peaking at 23, and Sit Still, Look Pretty peaking at 28. She was also featured on a song not present on this new album with The Chainsmokers in early 2016 called Don't Let Me Down which peaked at 3 on The Hot 100. It is almost a good thing that particular track was not included on this album because it would probably steal the show.

While I do think there are some good moments on Daya's Sit Still, Look Pretty, they are largely overshadowed by issues in the production and mixing of this album that stops the album from clicking with me as well as it could. My first big problem with the production is that there is nothing organic or hugely interesting going on.This is mainly due to the real lack of melodic presence that these songs seem to have. The beats are so overpowering, and the melodies are nowhere to be seen on this album, and when they are there, they're nothing special. Legendary is probably the best example of this with that awful squeal of the synth line swamped to the bay of the mix.

Other than that, this album really fails to impress me all that much. Talk tries to add a bit more menace to the production but is only able to emphasise the awkwardness of the songs. Similar case with the song U12 with its slow, groan of a melody line that just sounds horrible over the beat.  I could say a similar thing about the synth line on the verses on Got The Feeling ruining an otherwise passable chorus, and the weak, flimsy synth loop that runs throughout Words. Also, there is a line on the latter song that did frustrate me. 'We don't have to say love 'cause the words only get in the way'. I am slightly unsure how Daya intends for her relationship to improve by not acknowledging the love she has for this guy. Slightly confusing.

At least I.C.Y.M.I is a song that I can appreciate. Mainly because I can sympathise with the frustration of having an ex who just won't just accept it's over and move on with their life. The same with Cool. The fact that she is speaking about a positive relationship is refreshing and likeable. If only the production matched the mood.

The hits Hide Away and Sit Still, Look Pretty are both songs that inspire very little in the way of thought. In the former's presence, we have a song where Daya asks 'where do the good boys go to hide away?' She goes on to make comments about how she is looking for a guy who is willing to give her some respect and status in the relationship. Seems like a fine idea on paper, but Daya proceeds to make some very odd generalisations about what boys want in their girls. The statements seem to prove that she is not looking hard enough for a guy that is prepared to treat her with respect, though in the song she does insist that she is 'looking high and low'. The title track on this album follows a similar path, but the framing and use of hyperbolic language throws me off the song massively. She describes herself as a queen, and then that she is going to rule the world. Even if you argue that 'the world' is a metaphor for the relationship, the fact that she is playing the commanding role with such force kind of makes me want to (if I was the boyfriend in this case) stay away.

There is one moment on this album that stands out from the crowd, though, and that's the track Back To Me. On this track, the clumsy production is stripped back in favour of a pure, delicate piano ballad that proves to me that Daya might be a pretty emotive singer. The backing choir does ruin that sense of isolation that the song needs in order to connect on a wider level, but other than that, I really enjoyed this song, probably the best on the album.

The album close with the semi-inspired self-empowerment track, We Are. I can applaud the efforts of trying to go out with a bang, and generally, I do like this song, but the album lacks the consistent quality (or any quality at all) to feel deserving of this payoff.

In conclusion, Daya's Sit Still, Look Pretty is not a particularly fun listen. The lack of great moments means I can't rate this album any higher than a strong 2 / 5. If there is one good thing that I can take away from this, it's that Daya does show some potential on a few songs here. Give her time to mature, a production team who can deliver some weight instumentally to support her, and we might see something good from Daya in the future.

Favourite Tracks: Back To Me, I.C.Y.M.I

Least Favourite Tracks: Talk, U12

Overall Rating: 2 / 5