Danny Goo Bends Genre in New Single "Better Off"
Photo courtesy of Danny Goo
There is something innately modern about Danny Goo. The Texas-based musician presents a blend of Lil Peep-esque vocals and Turnover-influenced instrumentals, teetering the line between R&B melodies and lo-fi beats. Pop-punk underscores his work as well, particularly in his latest release “Better Off”, featuring a breakdown in the third verse that explodes into all of the emotion of any given Warped Tour alum. “I’d rather just stay in the back of the room/ I just don’t wanna see you soon,” he belts, voice breaking.
The juxtaposition found throughout Goo’s sound is a reflection of his “always changing”, diverse music taste growing up, which includes the likes of The Story So Far and Blackbear. He cites JoJo Centineo, his producer, as the mastermind behind his instrumental innovation. “He makes all my instrumentals and together we have developed a unique angle to take on modern music while still pulling from our roots and giving a nostalgic but modern world for my fans to escape into,” shared Goo.
Centineo can also be credited for the birth of “Better Off”, as the track was written in the studio as Goo sang over his arrangement of acoustic chords. “JoJo will leave his mics on and recording for hours at a time, so some of the guitar and vocal takes are actually from the original jam session the JoJo captured with those mics,” Goo revealed. Lyrics for the single reflect a personal failure in a past relationship, penned at the moment that Goo realized he would be happier on his own. “It’s hard to love someone so much, but know deep down they don’t have what it takes to be what you need,” he noted.
The video for “Better Off” is a feat in itself, visually stunning and reflective of the nature of the song. Aqua and peach-toned lighting coats Goo and his band in a party setting, interspersed between scenes of fights with a presumed partner culminating in an entirely black background. This provides a clear representation of the toxicity in this relationship. Goo shared, “I’ve gotten the opportunity to work very closely with some very talented directors and it's nice to be able to expand my creativity into the visual realm.” He credits his friend POG for the development of this particular storyline.
Goo’s confessionary style is evident in his debut six-song EP, Feel for You. Featuring the narrative of a failed relationship found in previous singles, this venture is set for release in 2020. He hopes that his music will teach his fans that depression is natural, and negative emotions are nothing to shy away from. “It will be a lot easier to deal with negative emotions you’re having if you’re not ashamed of having them.”
“Better Off” is available on all streaming platforms.
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