deadmanwalking by Dylan Joshua

If you were a fan of “Lucid Dreams” by Juice WRLD, you need to check out “deadmanwalking” by Dylan Joshua. The emotional tone of the song is immediately set by the acoustic guitar, and the heady hiphop bass and snare that come in with the verse give a grounded beat to slowly sway or bop your head to while you get in your feels. The lyrics are introspective and about some heavy topics, which is the main reason why Juice WRLD fans would like Dylan Joshua. The opening lines of “deadmanwalking” will really connect with anyone on a self-discovery journey: “What’s it take to be a somebody? I’d prolly trade it all just to be anybody.” The lyrics in the chorus, “…caught in a hurricane; better off non-existent,” will connect with anyone who has felt they’ve lost themselves or their identity in the midst of the chaos of life. 

The emotions of the lyrics are really supported well by the secondary parts in the background. The vocal effects and reverb on the backup and ad-lib vocals play into the lost identity theme, but also add interest for the ears. The instrument licks in the background are also another piece of ear candy, especially with the changes in panning. The general soundscape, especially with the type of reverb paired with the wide stereo imaging, really creates a feeling of disassociation. 

The lyrics and mixing aesthetic make “deadmanwalking” by Dylan Joshua a perfect song to put on loop while you take a midnight walk to ponder.