Album Review: Algorithm by Lucky Daye

With his third studio album, Lucky Daye, D’Mile and the crew push the confinements of what R&B could be by mixing multiple genres and further cementing Daye as one of the premier artists in the game.

Courtesy of Keep Cool/RCA Records.

Before experiencing his big break, Lucky Daye had already made a name for himself as a songwriter. Among the numerous artists who brought his pre-solo creations to life are Keith Sweat, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, and Ella Mai. Once he secured a recording contract with the Keep Cool label, an entity associated with RCA and headed by Tunji Balogun, Daye began collaborating extensively with producer D’Mile, who became his principal partner in the studio. Daye stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist in 2018 with his first major appearance, which was a joint effort with Victoria Monet titled “Little More Time,” featured in the soundtrack for the third season of the show Insecure.

Daye brings a fresh, slightly unconventional take on R&B, fusing modern sensibilities with classic soul roots. Unlike aggressively commercial acts, he avoids overt retro influences, positioning himself akin to peers who blend traditional and contemporary styles. His innovative approach was first introduced with his near-flawless debut album, Painted (2019), which took songs from his previous two EPs, followed by the Table for Two EP in 2021, which features woman-only duet performances, which led him to win his first-ever Grammy award for Best Progressive R&B Album. These works paved the way for Candydrip, which marked his debut on the Billboard 200 chart.

With Algorithm, Lucky Daye, D’Mile, and the crew push the confinements of what R&B could be by experimenting with multiple genres. The Yacht-Rock-influenced “Soft” underscores a transformation brought about by love, which, though tender and sweet, renders the protagonist fragile and profoundly susceptible, especially as it acts like a recurrent metaphor. To continue with the theme of Rock, this thematic construction of “Mary” not only underscores its exclusivity but also encapsulates the often elusive search for an ideal love that transcends superficial attractions. The varied women archetypes–from the affluent Amber to the mystical Ruth–each offering disparate experiences and pleasures paired with masterful instrumentation, make it one of the best songs in a long time and one of the best in Daye’s career. 

The album is unpredictable in many ways. “Never Leavin’ U Lonely” finds Lucky Daye offering unwavering support and reassurance to his love interest that balances D’Mile’s warm and comforting rock aura production. He expresses his commitment to being there for her, no matter her challenges or insecurities, while The-Dream-inspired “Top” sounds like it’s plucked from the Love/Hate sessions; however, they’re both inspired by the Purple One. On the uptempo Blues’ “Pin,” Lucky fuses poetic imagery and emotional depth to create a narrative of longing and urgency.

Let’s take it back to the basics: He bares his soul on the Bruno Mars co-written track, “That’s You.” Daye unfolds as a reflective narrative, juxtaposing the material excesses of fame with the scarcity of genuine emotional fulfillment. Through the course of the song, there is a tension between superficial pleasure and profound longing; despite his attempts at transitory love and indulgent distractions, he remains indelibly aware of an emotional void. The articulation of this sentiment underscores a universal truth about the human condition: the irreplaceable nature of genuine connection amidst the distractions of temporal success.

Girl, I been so dumb
Don't wanna be a fool out of love all alone
I been so wrong
Buying up the world just to make it feel like home
I been numb, so numb
Spendin’ every dime to get everything I want
There’s only one thing missing in life
That’s you

The Top 40-leaning “HERicane” captures love's tumultuous and electrifying nature through a blend of evocative lyrics and spirited metaphors. The track intertwines themes of intimacy and desire, depicting a relationship that oscillates between moments of genuine passion and emotional turbulence. Lucky metaphorically elevates the journey to the top floor, symbolizing a peak emotional experience while evoking the chaotic beauty of a hurricane on the hook. “Lemonade” also follows the same sonically as he explores the complexities of a relationship on the rocks. Daye grapples with conflicting emotions, torn between a love that burns intensely and the pain of its instability. There’s a sense of yearning for a fresh start, a chance to rebuild what's been broken.

Lucky Daye tells the story of a man captivated by a woman who is as alluring as she is high-maintenance on “Breakin’ the Bank.” Despite knowing her intentions, he's drawn to her charm and is willing to spend on her. The song hints at the fleeting nature of their connection, but Lucky chooses to live in the moment, caught in the intoxicating whirlwind of her presence (“She gets ‘em, she gets ‘em just for the money/Cause when your lips taste sweeter than honey”). The beat is hypnotic and infectious, creating a carefree atmosphere that makes it easy to get lost in the moment with a seductive bassline that draws you in.

Teddy Swims joins Lucky on “Blame,” which is a hit that’s waiting to happen. Although they navigate the thematic waters of self-blame and relational dynamics, ultimately urging a reflection on the causes and effects of unaddressed pride and ego within personal connections, the song cuts off into a skit leading up to the steamy “Think Different” before it hits next level (both songs are on point). RAYE hops on the beautiful guitar-laced “Paralyzed,” where they dig deep into the overwhelming feelings of infatuation and desire as if they describe their affection as having an almost hypnotic effect, making it impossible for them to think or act rationally.

From Painted’s “I Love You Too Much” and Candydrip’s “Ego,” Lucky Daye keeps the streak of strong album closers with one of his best performances on “Diamonds In Teal.” He gets in his Prince bag on this Blues rock track as Lucky grapples with conflicting emotions, expressing a desire to make things work while acknowledging the challenges they face. He seems to want to hold onto the love, questioning where their strong connection went. There's a sense of longing for a love that was once passionate and vibrant. However, there’s also a hint of resentment and blame in his words as he reflects on their journey together. Despite the uncertainty and hurt, there’s an underlying hope that their love can be salvaged.

You can’t put Lucky Daye in the box. After all the debates in recent years on how Black artists are labeled “R&B” because of their skin tone, he proves on Algorithm while navigating different sounds and genres while making everything tie together. He and D’Mile mastered the art of sequencing. But it also further proves one thing below, and we hope the fans catch onto him before the wave hits.

Standout (★★★★½)

Favorite Track(s): “Pin,” “Think Different,” “Mary,” “Diamonds In Teal”