A bit of Major Lazer, a bit of 2000’s chill, and the anthemic quality of an Imagine Dragons or American Authors.
Neon Dreams really is rounding out summer beautifully with this danceable chill track. 3 minutes of good vibes. The track dances everywhere and is so dynamic and fun to listen too, it made me smile instantly. I love the purity of the lyrics, it’s almost child-like and perfectly idyllic. This is definitely a summer anthem to carry you through to fall. This song is the perfect song to play at a chill end of summer gathering of friends.
“When you don’t fit in, it’s like you're forced to see the world differently. These are the fantasies of a very uncool, unpopular kid,” says Frank Kadillac of Neon Dreams, about the duo’s song “Life Without Fantasies.”
The video pays homage to Frank's favourite movies from his childhood – Napoleon Dynamite and Ferris Bueller's Day Off – and was shot near their hometown of Halifax as well as Toronto. This is the 4th video written and directed by Frank Kadillac and close friend Alex Gayaso. “Life Without Fantasies” appears on Neon Dreams’ new album Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams, which was released July 26.
“These fantasies were sparked from years of being picked on and desperately wanting to fit in. When I realized the effect that suppressed memories had on me, I started confronting everything I went through until I realized what I really want.. I realized fantasies about money, girls and luxury are fun to think about but in reality those things don’t make you happy. All I want is some happiness and a little bit of pain to know what’s real."
Neon Dreams spent their first few years pushing boundaries and experimenting with different musical styles, with which they achieved tremendous success. Despite racking up over 20 million streams, a gold record and accumulating an ever-growing fan base, something was missing. “Even with the kindness I’ve gotten from so many people, there was a part of me that felt like I never really had a voice for myself until about a year ago,” admits frontman Frank Kadillak. Neon Dreams needed to make a change, so Kadillac headed to a healing retreat in Sedona, Arizona, where he was encouraged to open up about his troubled childhood. “It was the most painful thing ever.” But the experience made Kadillac realize the power he holds as a songwriter, one who has reached millions of listeners. “I always think, ‘What does the world need? Will this help someone get through the day? Will this make them feel better?’”
The duo’s debut album, Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams, finds Kadillac and drummer Adrian Morris tweaking their sound to accommodate their newfound musical perspective. While their signature brand of energetic pop hasn’t dwindled, Kadillac’s lyrics have taken center stage across the LP’s eight songs. Featuring the singles “High School Dropout,” an uplifting EDM-pop anthem detailing Kadillac’s struggle through High School, and “About You,” a true song of the summer candidate, the album embarks on a journey to deliver a set that heals, empowers and motivates the listener. From the inspirational opener, “Life Without Fantasies,” through to the cathartic closure of the title track, Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams establishes a vibe that more than anything defines this second chapter of Neon Dreams. “A well-told story, a beautiful melody and some emotional chords are what we aim for” has been the Neon Dreams motto since day one, but now they’re approaching music on a much wider scale. “I’m hoping that my personal stories can give our fans the happiness they deserve if they are missing it,” says Kadillac. “I used to think making music was just a cool thing to do and a way to make myself feel better. But then I realized just how much it affects people’s everyday lives. This album is the start of me building a home for myself and anyone else who is looking for shelter under my relatable stories.”
Want to see them live?
Upcoming dates:
Aug 16 - St. John's, NL @ The Rec Room
Aug 22 - Hamilton, ON @ Mills Hardware
Aug 23 - Toronto, ON @ Dundas Square
Aug 24 – Barrie, ON @ Play
Aug 25 - Sudbury, ON @ Secret Location
Aug 30 - Squamish, BC @ The Knotty Burl
Aug 31 - Richmond, BC @World Music Festival
Sept 05 - Calgary, AB @ The HiFi Club
Sept 06 - Edmonton, AB @ Station on Jasper
Sept 07 - Saskatoon, SK @ Louis
Sept 08 - Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theater
Sept 19 - Hamburg, DE @ Reeoperbahn
Sept 21 – Ottawa, ON @ Beau's Oktoberfest
Nov 26 – Halifax, NS @ Cunard Centre
Nov 27 - St. John's, NL @ Mile One Centre
Follow Neon Dreams:
open.spotify.com/artist/2UQ6mFkiLYy5VHRJnajQYT
youtube.com/neondreams
facebook.com/OfficialNeonDreams/
instagram.com/neondreams
Review by Hannah Schneider
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