Blackout sunglasses, a cigarette, and the iconic sleek black suit; Those three elements create the basis for the internet's new favourite, indie sleaze DJ, The Dare. Harrison Smith, better known under his stage name, The Dare, has been rapidly climbing the ladder of popularity after he lent his production skills to Charli xcx for her track ‘Guess’. Learning on this newfound fame, alongside his former popularity as New York Cities freakquences DJ, Smith has finally put out his long awaited debut album, What’s Wrong With New York?
‘Open Up’ serves as a perfect opener for the album. Listeners are instantly flung into the atmosphere The Dare is creating the tone being swiftly set for the rest of the album. As the title would suggest, listeners are encouraged to “open up” in two distinct ways. You have the idea of being open to the music you’re about to hear, as for the general public, they aren’t typically familiar or particularly welcoming to Dance-Punk. With lyrics such as “It’s just rock ‘n’ roll, you won’t die” and “free your mind”, The Dare wants listeners to bridge outside their comfort zones, and to welcome him in. There’s also the concept of opening up to the culture that surrounds The Dares music, most of which is slutty and messy in nature, and he’ll be sure to remind you of that throughout the course of the album.
Picking up where ‘Open Up’’s static noise ends off is ‘Good Time’, a track that was initially seen on The Dares controversial 2023 EP Sex. The Dare describes it as a hangover track, an attempt at “trying to have fun when everything’s fucked up and failing”. Emphasis is put on this feeling through the production, as it leans towards a darker electroclash, bringing in elements of distorted synths and prominent cymbals. ‘Perfume’ on the other hand is full of feminine fun. With an electric guitar at the core of the track and a well placed cowbell to accompany it, The Dare elevates the production style we’ve grown familiar with from the beginning of the album. The unconventional and humorous lyrics surround this fictional perfume that gives its wearer erotic and lustful properties. Similarly to the power of this perfume, “everybody agrees there’s a certain je ne sais quoi” that’s coming from this song, making it a perfect addition to the tracklist.
‘Girls’ is the infamous track that everyone knows, whether or not you’re familiar with The Dare as a creative. Upon its initial release, the horny track about the singer's type in women, widely blew up across the internet. This is what led Harrison Smith, the elementary school teacher, to make the full switch and become The Dare, finally feeling comfortable enough to merge into his life with his dj persona and pursue his true passion. A resurgence of this song can currently be seen on tiktok due to, as GQ would say, everyone wanting a piece of The Dare. It’s not shocking he’s the current “It Boy”. With an aura similar to Matty Healy of the 1975, and musical influences from LCD Soundsystem, Charlixcx, and other electro punk artists, The Dare has made himself irresistible to those yearning for an indie sleaze revival.
The standout of the album sits in the middle of the tracklist, and is titled ‘I Destroyed Disco’. The track is pure power, completely dripping with passion. Every element feels perfectly placed, and you can truly imagine how ‘I Destroyed Disco’ would exist outside of a casual headphone listening session. It’s meant for the stage, to be played in a packed club, or anywhere that offers flashing lights and speakers that can handle the rumbling bass. Lyrically, we see The Dare lean strongly into his persona, lyrically coming off as extremely self absorbed. He puts himself on this pedestal, taking a moment to highlight his ever growing success, while also explaining how he’s changed the scene, seemingly “destroying disco” and replacing it with a new wave of techno and club beats. One extremely fierce, jaw dropping line is “What’s a rocker to The Dare?”, which truly makes listeners question, who else in the scene is doing it like him? The production on this track is a collaborative effort between The Dare and Dylan Brady of 100 Gecs. Together, the pair create this grit filled, unique, and robotic atmosphere that's absolutely mindblowing. You can feel the love radiating off this part of the project in particular, as if the two sat down in the studio and decided this would be thee track, the one to push boundaries, the one to make people stop and go… “This is The Dare”.
The Dare and Dylan Brady photographed by @TheCobraSnake
‘You’re Invited’ instantly feels like a Daft Punk-esc track. Between the funky bass, hollow drums, and inclusion of whirring sound effects and club chatter, ‘You’re Invited’ is fun at best, and perfect for promotion at worst. Not even the cute back and forth contrasting lyricism can save the track. If put towards the beginning of the album, there’s a chance it would have flowed more cohesively, but it unfortunately comes off as underwhelming, especially after being the following track to ‘I Destroyed Disco’. ‘All Night’ feels lighter compared to other tracks on the album, practically sounding like the experience of pregaming before a night out. The symphony of sparkly synths and The Dares honey dripped vocals form a love song for the modern partier. A focus is placed on spending time together, no matter what happens, where you are, whether that be New York To LA, even all the other states, as long as you’re prepared for an all nighter.
The only track that could rival ‘I Destroyed Disco’ for top spot on this album is ‘Elevation’, which was created alongside Jonah Abraham and Romil Hemnani, who both worked frequently with Brockhampton. When discussing ‘Elevation’ with a few fans who waited outside Toronto’s Kops Records for The Dares signing on album release day, some said the track was so brilliant it moved them to hysterical tears. The atmosphere created by the production gives room for ‘Elevation’ to feel airy, empty, and nearly nauseating. As chills crawl on your skin, your entire soul will feel as if it’s missing something, as if the core synths and simple pulsating drum beat isn’t enough. This craving listeners feel could be completely intentional within the song's design, as The Dare’s vulnerable track is about missing a lover, someone who has become lost over time. A heavy mention of drug use is intertwined within the lyrics, the title ‘Elevation’ even referring to the high the singer coaxes himself into in attempts to forget and move on from the mystery person. An ambiguity exists on why this person has left. Could it have been due to drug use? Possibly. Or could it be because The Dare persona completely took over Smith’s life, and the dark sunglasses, drug usage, and club culture shifted Smith into someone this person couldn’t be around anymore, leaving what Smith once knew in ashes. Either way, ‘Elevation’ is a beautifully produced track that transcends anything The Dare has put out thus far.
The Dare @ The Boiler Room Ibiza
‘Movement’ is a complete 180 to ‘Elevation’. It’s the ‘Bloodwork’ of What’s Wrong With New York, with production being at the forefront and the lyrics taking a step back. I’d say listeners aren’t meant to think critically about ‘Movement’. This track is The Dare bringing in elements of his roots as a DJ, with ‘Movement’ being more adjacent to a mix you’d hear during a DJ set compared to a track you’d throw on for a singalong. You’re meant to feel the song, let loose, trash your body around like you’re in a cramped, skin to skin, sweaty room with strangers. To close the album is ‘You Can Never Go Home’. The piano driven track encapsulates the feeling of the end of the night, right before last call is hollered, and you’re trying to live in the moment, not wanting to face reality after the moment is over. Though slightly troubling lyrically, ‘You Can Never Go Home’ serves as a complete ending to the album. It draws elements from every aspect of the album, creating a compilation that ties What's Wrong With New York? In a perfect bow.
What's Wrong With New York? proves The Dare really is “with it”. From the intense aesthetics behind the branding, to the cheeky and moving lyrics, to the revival of indie sleaze, rave punk, and electro clash within the production, The Dare is becoming more than an ‘up and coming artist’, he is the moment.
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