Milestones: Painted by Lucky Daye
Lucky Daye's debut album plainly shows his true self, with him baring his soul for all to see.
Lucky Daye is one of the brightest stars in R&B. His unique background and journey through the music industry have shaped his artistic style and contributed to his success. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up in a religious cult that prohibited secular music. Despite these restrictions, he found ways to express his love for music by creating songs based on children’s books. Daye’s early influences include iconic R&B artists such as Stevie Wonder, Rick James, and Prince, who inspired him to pursue a music career.
In 2005, Lucky Daye auditioned for the fourth season of the popular TV show American Idol but was eliminated early in the competition. Undeterred, he moved to Atlanta to further his music career. He began working as a background vocalist and songwriter, collaborating with various artists in the industry. His talent as a songwriter and vocalist gained recognition within the music industry. He co-wrote songs for artists like Mary J. Blige, Keith Sweat, Boyz II Men, Ne-Yo, and Ella Mai, showcasing his versatility and ability to create hits. His work as a background vocalist also allowed him to refine his skills and gain valuable experience in the studio.
In 2018, Lucky Daye signed with Keep Cool Records, an imprint of RCA Records, after catching the attention of the label’s executives with his unique sound and songwriting abilities. This signing marked a significant milestone in his career, providing him with the resources and platform to showcase his talent to a broader audience. Lucky Daye’s debut album, Painted, shows his true self in an honest way with the help of D’Mile on the production that helps showcase their chemistry. The album, which was nominated for four Grammys, takes you through the ups and downs of a relationship, from love to jealousy and everything in between.
The first song, “Roll Some Mo,” sets the mood. It’s slow and light, and Daye’s voice pulls you in right away. You can feel how much heart he puts into the music as he sings softly about wanting a better life with the woman he loves. He sings over guitar and drums, telling a story that feels like a fairy tale: “Can’t let no time go wasted/This moment can’t replace it.” He’s completely under her spell.
Daye’s voice is full of a special kind of emotion. Even though his songs are about love, it also feels like he’s singing about his tough childhood. Daye grew up in a cult that didn’t allow any non-religious music, so he had to teach himself how to write songs. In his slower songs like “Misunderstood,” “Floods,” and “Love You Too Much,” you can hear and feel the pain of what it was like for him growing up in that cult.
Daye really opens up his heart in these love songs. He lets us see how much it hurts when things are bad but also how much he still loves his girlfriend. And in the faster, happier songs, you can really tell how much he loves her by the bass and the beat. It makes you want to nod your head and dance along. It shows how great it feels to be in love. Some parts sound like classic R&B from the past. His clear high notes and violins on “Concentrate” can remind others of Usher’s magnum opus Confessions album. And on “Karma,” he redoes Ginuwine’s hit song “Pony” in his own way. Daye makes the sexy song a little sweeter and more modern, like something you’d play while “Netflix and chill.”
The best song on Painted is “Real Games.” The words are some of the saddest on the album, but it’s also one of the most fun and exciting songs I’ve ever heard. It’s about how hard it is to break up with someone who keeps playing games with your heart. It’s that back-and-forth kind of relationship where you love them more than they love you. You think about what could have been, but they never felt the same way.
“Real Games” has a medium-speed beat that makes you want to move. Daye takes one of the most painful parts of a breakup and turns it into a playful, almost happy song that you can’t help but sing really loud. It’s a song you play at full volume. It will make you smile and dance around, even though the meaning behind it is actually pretty sad.
Painted is a big success for Lucky Daye. The album lets us into his personal life and shows how he can turn relationship pain into something that makes other people feel good. It really earned all the praise it got at the 2020 Grammys, including being nominated for Best R&B Album. Lucky Daye grew up in a cult that didn’t let him be creative, but he still made an amazing album. Two years later, he followed up with a masterful EP with Table for Two and a year later with the sultry Candydrip. As we await his third album this year with Algorithm in a month, we hope Lucky continues to flourish.
Standout (★★★★½)