Having a kid does wonders for the soul. For someone like Dominic Fike, the birth of his son would lead the actor-singer to craft one of his most personal projects to date. Rocket explores Fike from a level the world has never seen before. He's more refined, less brash in his musical decisions, and the growth of his emotional intelligence is shown.
It seems music has been the constant in Fike's life this year. Coming off performing at Lollapalooza this month and only a few weeks removed from the debut of his new band, Geezer, with Kevin Abstract, the "Mona Lisa" singer has kept himself busy. His music and family life come to a head in Rocket as smoothly as they can.
The 12-track mixtape is relatively short, totaling 24 minutes. "All Hands on Deck," one of the few tracks Fike played live this summer, is the opening—the track weaves between a spoken word and a hidden leaked recording. Speaking about recent events and the current state of society, Fike uses this as an opportunity to urge fans to reflect on their place in the world. It seems to be something Fike has asked of himself. "All Hands on Deck" makes for a perfect opening as it sets the tone for sun-bleached soft rock and bedroom pop tunes.
Underneath the varying themes of Rocket, the sonic pulsing rock isn't new to Fike. His previous projects seem to draw on his hushed vocals while leaving space for his own brand of hip-hop rock. Almost bearing his soul, Rocket follows Sunburn and What Could Possibly Go Wrong? in Fike's approach to life. "Smile" is a great explain in that.
Fike has a holistic approach to his current lifestyle. "I put on a smile this morning / It kept me alive this afternoon," Fike sings in the opening. Backed by a hazy soft rock production, Fike's lyrics echo the melody. Whatever life throws, the singer will continue to smile through it all.
Keeping it simple and to the point, Fike does a fantastic job of displaying his growth. In previous songs and material, he has mentioned his mistakes and transgressions.
In "$500 fine," Fike speaks about trying to walk the straight and narrow. He reflects on past relationships and how, if he were truly willing, he could have made them work. His attention was elsewhere in these relationships and couldn't give the time of day to what mattered in the end.
Rocket is full of passion, decision, and bliss. Previous Dominic Fike albums have been filled with trauma and blind ambition. Fatherhood has changed Fike for the better as his new project gives the purpose the singer-turned-actor has been looking for. Honesty has always been at the forefront of Fike's music and what gained him the status he has now. That stance doesn't change on this mixtape as Fike brings his signature rock-pop fusion with West Coast soft rock.
Dominic Fike is creating some of the best music in his career over the summer. Between Geezer and Rocket, the future of Fike is on a great path.
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Photo Credit: Clayborne Bujorian
