Don't Sleep On This Album: A Review

Don't Sleep may refer to several albums, including: Strays Don't Sleep, released in 2006 by One Little Indian; Don't Sleep by Alice Ivy, released in 2020; Don't Sleep, a 2010 album by Stealing O'Neal; and Don't Sleep, a 2000 album by DJ Hurricane. It may also refer to the hardcore band formed by Dave Smalley in 2018, which released an EP titled Don't Sleep in 2017.

Don't Sleep, a 2010 album by Stealing O'Neal

Don't Sleep is the only studio album by Australian pop-rock band Stealing O'Neal (commonly referred to as SO'N). The album was released on 8 October 2010, with the band breaking up in September 2011, shortly after the release. The band was formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 2004, and their style has been described as "Saves the Day meets Placebo".

Stealing O'Neal was made up of vocalist Chris Scott, guitarist and backing vocalist Jack Tosi, bassist Tom Fleming, guitarist Tim O'Keefe, and drummer Ryan D'Sylva. Before James Moro left the band in 2007, he was the band's drummer. The band's first demos were self-released in 2006, including an acoustic cover of the Arctic Monkeys' "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor". In 2007, they signed with Melodic Music Management and Sydney-based independent label Taperjean Records to record their debut EP, Spin for Me. This EP gained significant independent success, hitting the Australian Independent Records (AIR) charts at number four and the Australian ARIA Singles Chart at number 56.

Stealing O'Neal's debut album Don't Sleep was mixed in the UK by Romesh Dodangoda, who has also worked with Funeral for a Friend, Glassjaw, and Motörhead. The album's only single, "Homecoming", was released for free as a promotional track. The band embarked on a headline tour to promote the album, performing in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

Don't Sleep has been described as "a heartfelt collection of songs born from the experience of being in a band; a coming-of-age story to the soundtrack of late nights, tour vans, and airport lounges". The album strikes a "delicate balance between the tender melodies of modern pop and the thunderous assault of stadium-ready rock".

Don't Sleep, a 2000 album by DJ Hurricane

Don't Sleep is the third solo album by DJ Hurricane, released on October 10, 2000. The album showcases the skills of the New York-based hip-hop artist, born Wendell Fite, who rose to fame as the Beastie Boys' DJ. Don't Sleep is a showcase of DJ Hurricane's production skills and features a diverse array of guest artists.

The album was released after DJ Hurricane parted ways with the Beastie Boys in 1998, following their Ill Communication album. Don't Sleep presents a more conceptually collected Hurricane, with a broad scope of collaborators, including well-known artists such as Kool G Rap, Xzibit, Scott Weiland, Public Enemy, Rah Digga, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monch. The album also features up-and-coming artists such as CheDuke, Hittman, and Choclair.

The album's tracklist offers a mix of styles and collaborations, with 18 songs and a total runtime of 49 minutes. Notable tracks include "Make Things Better" featuring N'Dea Davenport and Talib Kweli, "Connect" featuring Big Gipp, Pharoahe Monch, and Xzibit, and "Keep It Real" featuring Faith Evans and Lost Boyz. The album also includes the song "We Will Rock You," featuring Scott Weiland, which appeared in the Ready to Rumble soundtrack.

Don't Sleep received mixed reviews from critics and fans. While some praised the album for its guest artist selections, others were disappointed, expecting a sound more akin to DJ Hurricane's previous work with the Beastie Boys. Despite the mixed reception, Don't Sleep solidified DJ Hurricane's place in the hip-hop world as a talented producer and collaborator.

Don't Sleep, a hardcore band from the East Coast

Don't Sleep is a hardcore band from the East Coast, more specifically Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The band features vocalist Dave Smalley, bassist Garrett Rothman, drummer Jim Bedorf, and guitarists Tom McGrath and Tony Bavaria. Smalley has previously been a part of bands such as DYS, Dag Nasty, ALL, and Down By Law, while the other members have been associated with bands including The Commercials, Junction, and Admiral. Don't Sleep's music has been described as melodic hardcore that is immune to era-related trends.

The band's debut album, "Turn the Tide", was released in 2020, showcasing an abundance of melodic hooks and driving guitar riffs. The album was produced by Carson Slovak, Grant McFarland, Walter Schreifels, and Matt Holmes, with Brian McTernan engineering the drums on three cuts. It was released by Mission Two Entertainment, a label owned by Tony Brummel, the founder of Victory Records. The album's creation was a lengthy process, with Brummel encouraging the band to write additional songs, resulting in a powerful and distinctive hardcore album.

Prior to the release of their debut album, Don't Sleep issued two EPs: "Don't Sleep" in 2017 and "Bring the Light" in 2018. The band has also released music videos for their songs, including "Refine Me," which was described by Smalley as a reminder to be forged and refined by the flames of adversity. Don't Sleep's music and lyrics often carry themes of resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

In 2023, Don't Sleep announced their sophomore album, "See Change," which was co-produced by the Grammy-nominated team of Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland. The album combines the band's signature sound with contemporary elements, offering something for both new and longtime fans of Smalley's work. "See Change" was released on June 2, 2023, through End Hits Records, and includes nine tracks with additional bonus songs on the digipack CD version.

Don't Sleep, a 2016 song by Dorian

"Don't Sleep" is a song by Dorian, released in 2016. The American rapper, producer, songwriter, and basketball coach from Indianapolis, Indiana, has had a varied career. Born Alton Dorian Clark on an Air Force base in Texas, his family moved around frequently due to his father's profession. Dorian's musical influences came from his parents' love of 1970s funk artists such as The Ohio Players, Lakeside, and Bootsy Collins. He learned to read music at age nine while playing the trumpet and later took up the drums and choir singing.

Dorian's career in basketball coaching began with 800 cold phone calls and 1300 cold emails, leading to a job at Lees-McRae College. He then coached at various institutions, including Montverde Academy and Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2012, he wrote for ESPN's TrueHoop Network, covering the Orlando Magic.

Dorian's musical career began when he purchased music production software in 2014 and taught himself to make beats using YouTube tutorials. In 2015, he released his first project, "The D.U.C.K. Tape," and his second album's lead single, "Sunshine." He then moved back to Indianapolis to work on his second project with music producer Joey French, whom he had met at university.

"Don't Sleep" was released on YouTube and, after receiving 60,000 views, was made available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal in August 2016. The song has catchy lyrics and an infectious beat, with an official music video premiering on iHeartRadio's WZRL Real 98.3 Indianapolis. The song has accumulated over 1,000,000 streams to date.

Dorian also collaborated with Mark Battles for the "Don't Sleep" remix, which was featured on Genius, with lyrics available for fans to explore and delve into the deeper meaning of the song. The remix was also released on music streaming platforms, further increasing the popularity of the track.

Don't Sleep, a 2021 song by 24kGoldn

"Don't Sleep" is a song by 24kGoldn, released in 2021 as track 12 on his album "El Dorado". The song explores the themes of vulnerability and honesty, with 24kGoldn sharing his thoughts and feelings in a simple and straightforward manner. In an interview, 24kGoldn shared his belief in the strength of vulnerability and how it is essential to recognise and accept our imperfections as humans. This song is a reflection of that belief, as he lays bare his emotions, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves.

Lyrically, "Don't Sleep" is a plea to a former lover, urging them not to give up on their relationship and the dreams they once shared. The chorus repeats the phrase, "Don't sleep, don't let it all die," a desperate entreaty to keep the love alive and not let their sweet dreams and memories fade. The song's pre-chorus and verse emphasise this sentiment, with lines like, "Don't sleep on me 'cause I keep the keys to your deepest dreams/And you hate it/Can't keep the peace 'cause that piece of me you placed out of reach is my safety." The song acknowledges the challenges of a relationship strained by mistakes and distance, but the underlying message is one of hope and the possibility of reconciliation.

The song's structure follows a typical pop format, with a chorus, verse, pre-chorus, refrain, and outro. The lyrics are complemented by a melodic tune, creating a catchy and memorable song. "Don't Sleep" has received a positive response from fans, with many appreciating the raw emotion conveyed by 24kGoldn's vocals and the song's ability to evoke feelings of sadness and reflection.

"Don't Sleep" by 24kGoldn is a powerful ballad that resonates with listeners due to its universal themes of love, loss, and the struggle to hold on to something precious. The song's message of embracing vulnerability and imperfection adds to its appeal, offering a reminder that it is okay to not be perfect and that sharing our true feelings can be a source of strength. "Don't Sleep" serves as an anthem for those navigating the complexities of relationships and the challenges of staying true to oneself.

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