“Lonely Nights” by Brooke Daye and Lil Lotus is exactly what pop music should be. It’s overflowing with brilliant melodies. It’s dynamically satisfying. It’s delivered with talent and conviction. Saying this song is well-produced is an understatement. You’ll be blown away by how universally enjoyable it is. Pretty much anyone who appreciates good songwriting and arrangement could fall in love with “Lonely Nights.”
A synth swell propels us directly into the verse: “I got no one to call / All my friends love a downfall / First to smile when I lose it all.” Brooke Daye paints an angsty narrative with her warm, organic vocal delivery. A reverb-drenched electric guitar strums through some chords behind her, creating this minimalist instrumental moment before the inevitable explosion of textures. It’s a great way to ease the listener into something high-energy.
The pre-chorus welcomes a simple drum groove and a rumbling synth bass. With this anticipatory groove set, musical tension buzzes in the air. When it’s finally released, the gratification is immense. “LA’s filled with lonely nights / And I don’t want to fall asleep again,” Brooke cries, belting a melody rife with satisfying chord tones and shapely arcs. The eruption of rhythm and sound in this chorus is just electric. You’ll be engrossed.
Flash-forward to the next verse, and we get the opportunity to hear a bit of a brighter timbre from Lil Lotus. Having two separate singers perform different verses is an effective way to add textural and poetic interest to the song. Doubtlessly, this collaboration breathes a lot of life into it. Brooke Daye and Lil Lotus make “Lonely Nights” relatable, effortlessly cool, and an overall brilliant piece of music.
Written by Alyce Lindberg
