Up and Comers Music

Picture Daisy Howard’s “From the Outside Looking In” like a giant bubble of sound with strong but malleable walls. Sounds ebb and flow through the bubble, but the firm exterior maintains its shape, mirroring the story of the song: a character who stands fast in her convictions and carves a new path in search of paradise despite the comforts of staying put in the present situation.

The palette of sounds that make up Howard’s bubble is both diverse and cohesive. Bellowing timpani make rhythmic pops that bang at the walls of the bubble, reverberating from side to side. Shimmering guitar effects provide a constant sense of ambience in the background as the soprano vocal cuts through the mix with both passion and tenderness. Howard never strays too far from the central vibe that she’s created from the very beginning, but she does reguarly vary the intensity of the effects in a way that gives the track depth.

The final chorus of the track is a true standout as Howard weaves together a wide array of textures in an expansive and epic fashion. Bits of violin trickle into the outro in a manner that reminds us of The Verve’s classic “Bittersweet Symphony”, and the vocals shine their brightest as the artist finally belts out the lyrics at full force. Don’t be surprised if you are moved to goosebumps in this emotional last hurrah of the track. Howard’s entire composition is a triumph, but these final waves of sound kick things up to another level. 

Stream Daisy Howard’s “From the Outside Looking In” and follow her on social media to stay up on new releases.

Follow our Up and Comers playlist to discover more emerging acts you’ve probably never heard of.