West Virginia songwriter Daniel Brown returns under his HAYBOY moniker with ‘Smartness & Dollars’, the first glimpse of a forthcoming album and a thoughtful exploration of the distance between achievement and fulfilment.
Blending alternative rock with psychedelic and Americana influences, the single combines distorted guitars with drifting melodies and a subdued, immersive atmosphere. Beneath its heavier exterior, however, he focuses on the relatively simple realisation that professional ambition can easily become a distraction from the relationships that ultimately give life its meaning.
The recording itself retains a deliberately organic quality. He tracked the song alongside Mamalarky drummer Dylan Hill and Pecos & The Rooftops bassist Steven Buehler without rehearsals or a click track, while producer Lang Freeman added lead guitar in a single take. In contrast to that spontaneity, he spent close to a year developing the vocal performance until he felt it properly conveyed the song’s sentiment.
‘Smartness & Dollars’ also introduces the broader visual identity surrounding HAYBOY’s next record. The artist has created a series of pen-and-ink illustrations drawing upon mythology and ancient folklore, with original pieces set to accompany copies from the first vinyl pressing.
With its balance of raw musicianship and considered songwriting, ‘Smartness & Dollars’ provides an intriguing introduction to HAYBOY’s next phase.