Otto Aday - “Dancing Round the Morning Sun”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…Briston Maroney, Belle & Sebastian, Noah Kahan

Catchy, vibrant, and full, Otto Aday has built an engrossing sound that seemingly started as little folk numbers and grown into something much more. The Welsh artist writes from classic pop and rock influences, hooky and forthright melodies leading the tracks on his debut full-length Persona. While these songs go big in their own way, they aren’t bombastic and overwrought. They are cinematic however, leaning into romantic expressions and personable songwriting. In that way, Otta Aday’s music could be picked from a Broadway stage as much as modern rock radio. The fullness of Persona’s instrumentation matches the ambition of his songwriting, strings, guitars, piano all taking turns across this chamber-pop suite. Produced by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, recorded with Nashville session musicians, and mastered at Abbey Road, the level of care put into Aday’s songs really shows on Persona. It’s a record that punches above its weight and should translate to a fulfilling live show come SXSW. (Kevin McStravick)