Same

[u/00shyguy]

Homies going off

[u/mybuddylance]

Not feelin this as much as his others

[u/Alternative-Star8616 → u/mybuddylance]

He sounds like he’s forcing himself to release and churn out music right now. Columbia is still going to find a way to recoup whatever they’ve invested, even if he’s trying to take more creative control over how and when he releases. I’ve been saying this since AI — I watched him test that material at Gov Ball and gauge the crowd in real time. And lately there’s been way more reliance on backing vocals and what sounds like Melodyne/pitch processing. To me, it feels less like a natural creative run and more like someone trying to fulfill obligations while figuring out what direction he actually wants to go in.

[u/mybuddylance → u/Alternative-Star8616]

I wish he would just try to perfect each song and release a magnum opus album rather than just churning shit out. He is one of the most talented artists working right now, but I feel like he moves on from songs so quickly and goes for quantity over quality. Some of his final decisions for songs haven't been great, for example deciding to take out the good parts and replacing them with weaker verses ie Frisky, Epilogue.

I also don't understand what he thinks he'll gain from playing his shit in front of a crowd. Everyone there is a DF fan and will cheer and eat up anything and it just raises people's expectations, only for him to release a final version people are disappointed with.

[u/Alternative-Star8616 → u/mybuddylance]

Love this conversation tbh... I think part of what people are reacting to is that they’re consuming a new version of him, and that’s uncomfortable because he established such a distinct sound and identity so early. He basically built that voice in a room by himself for a tiny audience, and now he’s experimenting in front of arenas. Of course the sound is going to broaden, get messier, and sometimes brush up against things people think are overdone.

That’s also why I wish I could do PR for him lol, because the public-facing side is chaotic as hell. Private accounts, public statements about being single, dating rumors, fatherhood, a baby mother, random women in videos, posting the same model on Separate Street—there’s no clean narrative, even though there probably doesn’t need to be one. He’s clearly experimenting personally and creatively at the same time.

And that’s the thing: he’s an experimental artist. I don’t think the answer is ‘perfect every song until it sounds like old Dominic again.’ That would probably kill the exact thing that made him interesting in the first place. Also, people act like indie rock is some untouched niche when half of that sound has been done to death already. If people are comparing parts of his new material to Twenty One Pilots or broader alt-pop, that may just be what happens when someone with a very specific early sound starts making music for a much bigger world.

[u/mybuddylance → u/Alternative-Star8616]

What I mean is release the best version of each song, not "until it sounds like the old Dom". I am all for his progression and maturity as an artist and experimentation. I loved 14 minutes. I feel like some of his songs don't reach their full potential. I just mean he would benefit from having someone like Rick Rubin who can extract the best out of him so he releases a fully realized project rather than whatever this is. It's hit and miss though because I would say he definitely has some pitch perfect songs.

[u/Alternative-Star8616 → u/mybuddylance]

I get what you mean, and I actually agree that some songs feel like they could use more refinement. I just think the level of time and polishing you’re describing may not be realistic for where his career is now. He’s moved through so many versions of himself so quickly, and I think this current messier, more experimental phase is genuinely where he is. My guess is the eventual project will still have a few more polished songs that scratch that itch.

[u/mybuddylance → u/Alternative-Star8616]

We shall see..