Track By Track: D.K. Lyons Breaks Down New Double Album "Sophomoric Rambling"

D.K. Lyons has carved out his own unique spot in the indie music scene, winning over listeners everywhere with his irresistible pop tracks that glow with feel-good melodies and relatable lyrics that dive into some of his most personal life experiences.

The NYC-based singer and songwriter, who very admirably lays his emotions out on the table for his fans to experience right along with him and is a fierce supporter of women’s rights (as he reveals through the total earworm of a track “The Girls of Summer”), recently released his new project “SOPHOMORIC RAMBLING,” an infectious concept album packed with unforgettable songs that take listeners on a satisfying ride through a rainbow of emotions.

Below D.K. breaks down the album track by track, sharing the meaning behind each of the project’s 20 songs, exclusively for Musical Notes Global readers.

OVERVIEW

What’s up readers! This is D.K. Lyons, taking you track by track through my brand new double-album, SOPHOMORIC RAMBLING. This concept album was about 2 years in the making, beginning with a single song and morphing over the span of 6 months or so into the final track listing below. The concept follows our narrator walking into the office of psychiatrist Dr. Lorraine Fields for the first time, with her posing the usual question of “Why are you seeking therapy at this time?” From there, the narrator (aka me) delves into the stressors, losses, fears, and hopes of my life, beginning at a 30K view of the world before digging into my deepest traumas before ultimately finding redemption. Each song is part of a pairing, with subtle themes, sonic motifs or phrases that connect them. Here are my thoughts track by track!

The Doctor Will See You Now

I love the idea of an intro to an album, something that sets the stage and almost serves as the DVD menu or video game power up. I’m certainly not the first to do it, but here we are introduced to a melodic motif and Dr. Fields, voiced by my longtime collaborator Emma Rae who lends her voice to nearly half the songs on the record.

Charmed, I’m Sure (Digitally Sober)

Inspired by the modern disco resurgence (thank you Dua Lipa / The Weeknd), the demo for this song had been around for almost 8 years but the concept of it being a stream of consciousness on social media, dating apps, and digital addiction gave it new life for me. Definitely one of my more sarcastic songs but also a strong yearning to change.

Fake Ray-Bans

A song about the pressures from social media to live the “influencer” lifestyle and instead finding solace in something deep and meaningful, melodically this song was inspired by the obvious combination of Charli XCX and the song I2I from the Goofy Movie, one of my childhood favorites. I also give reference to The 1975 and one of their lyrics that’s tattooed on my right arm with the line “It’s not living if it’s not with you.” The female lead in this song serves as a metaphor for this long term commitment to my love for music and songwriting and not getting caught up in short term spectacle.

The Girls of Summer

Of course I would write a pop song in support of women sports journalists from my home city of Boston! That is in fact what this one is about, with the title being an ode to the “boys of summer” aka baseball players and also a Don Henley classic. Another demo that existed for years before getting new life with a fresh lyrical concept.

ANOTHERUNAROUND

Definitely a left turn sonically, giving a more 80s dream pop meets 2010’s guitarnb, a song about confronting things that you keep around because they're safe in lieu of taking the leap towards what you really want, personified in a bar encounter with a woman in a baseball hat.

Zoe Does Her Hair

One day my friend sent me Charlie Puth’s new single “Light Switch” and told me to make a song that sounded like that. So I did. I had the title written down for a while but had been recently inspired to create a story for her. Taking a cue from the previous song, the narrator is falling for someone and encouraging himself to let go of the reins and just enjoy the ride.

Hope Springs Eternal

In contrast, this song serves as the aftermath of love gone wrong (again) and wondering if all of the previous failures in life are more indicative of insanity than hope, as the narrator continues to make the same mistakes. I wrote the guitar lick way back in college funnily enough and had originally penned it as a song for my girlfriend at the time. Things didn’t work out. I then re-wrote it for a post-college girlfriend. Things didn’t work out. Re-wrote it for present day me about things not working out, and it’s become a favorite amongst my friends and bandmates. Go figure.

I’m Worried About You

A very personal song about a childhood best friend of mine, hoping to instill some hope into their heart at a time when they struggled to find any. This is the 3rd sonic iteration of this song, landing somewhere in late 90s meets 80s pop and the groove in the pre-choruses is one of my favorite concoctions on the album.

(She’s Got a Really) Good Heart

An ode to my incredible mother who has been through so much in life and remains a beacon of light in my life. Inspired by the likes of Tom Petty, particularly in his Full Moon Fever era.

Where Do All the Sad Girls Go? Ft. Natalie Livingston

I originally wrote down this song idea and said to myself “This is a joke, there’s no way you can do this seriously.” But the demo was so catchy and I loved the post-modernist tongue-and-cheek-ness of it, so I had the idea to bring on a female lead to make it a duet. Natalie absolutely knocks this one out of the park and helped make it such a fun banger of a song.

The Damage ft. Rafa Soto

As much of the world can relate, I’ve become enamored with Bad Bunny, J. Balvin, and the entire genre of reggaeton. Rafa Soto is one of my best friends and is the former guitar player of a pretty successful hardcore band in Colombia, and we worked together on my Summer Lullabies remix in 2022. I wanted to bring him in for a proper song this time around and The Damage is the result. It’s one of those happy/sad songs where sonically it’s very upbeat but lyrically it delves into both of our issues with intimacy, trust, and romance, trying to get to the root of why we are the way we are.

Jake

Another deeply personal song, a dedication to my childhood best friend who took his own life in 2022 and the impact he had and continues to have on me. Sonically, I took a lot of inspo from Phoebe Bridgers, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and the like.

Road Trip Mixtape

The big warm hug after Jake, an ode to my incredible sister and the struggles we’ve been through, both separately and together. A reminder to all to pick up the phone and call your loved ones. A very 80s song inspired by Bryan Adams, John Waite, and the like.

The Sadness

One of the first songs written for the album, this song was originally inspired by some of the modern EDM/pop styles of The Chainsmokers (the demo is originally from 2016 when a certain collab with Halsey came out lol). A song all about building up the courage to end something toxic. I also credit Third Eye Blind and their lifelong influence on me for some of the vocal delivery + fitting so many words into things.

When We Were Falling In Love

A fan favorite online and in-person at concerts, directly inspired by The Boys of Summer and other 80s pop rock classics, this song looks back at the toxic relationship after closure, finding a way to appreciate all of the positives, recognizing I wouldn’t be the person I am now had those things not happened.

VII XIV

The last of the deeply personal songs, this RnB / LoFi inspired song is a spiritual conversation between myself and my dad, who I lost when I was 6 years old. Originally an acoustic song only, I wanted something that was a bit more gospelly to fit the feeling of the song as I reached out to the universe and I’m proud of the sound I achieved to fit the lyrics.

When the Crying’s Done ft Desiree

The low of low points in the album, this is about as straightforward as I’ll get lyrically, usually opting for metaphors, cleverness, etc. Here, I’m questioning if all of this is worth it along with my cousin (and amazing singer) Desiree, having shared in a lot of similar past traumas. In the end, we both find solace in our friends and family and realize that yes, life if worth living, and that help is available.

Everything Is Wonderful

We have reached redemption! A pure and bouncy pop song equal parts Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac and The Sound by The 1975, a song about falling in love with a woman who finds beauty in the little things as a way of fending off life’s demons. And it includes one of my favorite lyrics and painfully accurate self-assessments “I think I’m smarter than I know I am.”

I Can’t Do This Anymore (For Now)

90s pop rock at its peak, a self-examination of my poorest habits in an attempt to start fresh with resolve to be better (for now). This was a fun riff to discover and the entirety of the arrangement came together so seamlessly. Cannot wait to play this one live.

Bye Bye Lorraine

The big finale. A no holds barred Creed-esque crowd-ready refrain as I say goodbye to Dr. Lorraine Fields with newfound hope and wisdom. Some of my favorite lyrics and allusions of the album as well and if you hit play on the album again as soon as this song finishes, you’ll be delighted in the smoothness of the transition.

Stream “SOPHOMORIC RAMBLING” now on Spotify.