I’ve said this quite a bit over the first three months of 2023, but we seem to be in the midst It’s not often that you immediately vibe with a song from the first few notes, but that’s exactly what happens here with rising artist Madison Davenport’s latest release, the infectiously brilliant “Danger Danger”. Based on the quality of this song, it’s safe to say 2023’s hot streak continues on.
Opening with some ukulele strumming, Davenport’s soulful vocals soon come in, with a low synth flourish, mid-tempo beat, and tinkly keys soon to follow. Ahh…those vocals...they’re the key to this working as well as it does. There used to be three types of female pop singers…you had a) the multiple-octave caterwauling banshee that could do insane runs yet never come close to hitting a pitch; b) the quirky indie ingenue who always has interesting songs yet possess an indistinct voice, and c) the auto-tuned pop princess. Thankfully, Davenport is none of these. Especially impressive is the section around the 45-second mark where she sounds like the female equivalent of the late Robert Palmer. Soulful and understated, Davenport’s silky smooth vocals make this song a must-listen, especially the harmonies that come in towards the last section.
As for the rest of the song, this is one case where the excellent vocals and the brilliantly understated production carry things. There’s not a whole lot going on melodically, but truthfully there doesn’t need to be. This is a song that needs to get by on vibe and groove, and is a textbook example of “less is more”. Anyone who suffered through the awfulness of pop music from the last decade (especially the overproduced cacophony of garbage from 2016-2018 specifically) will definitely appreciate this more laid-back approach. Put this on your favorite playlist and give your ears a treat…you’ll be glad you did.
Listen to "Danger Danger" on Spotify here -
You can check out Madison Davenport’s instagram here: