Dominic Fike - Don’t Forget About Me, Demos
by Karla Ponce
You may be wondering why I am reviewing an album that came out in 2018. Let me explain. Don’t Forget About Me Demos is one of the albums that lives in my head. Even in 2022, it has aged so well and is a great display of Dominic Fike’s range and eclecticism.
Dominic Fike is categorized as an indie-pop artist but, in reality, he is an artist well-versed in the sounds of blues, punk, rap and R&B, mixing them all to create timeless music. He can’t be boxed in.
The EP opens with the track “3 Nights,” where Fike grasps his listeners with a catchy and rhythmic chorus and demonstrates his unique rapping abilities. Throughout the release, Fike seems to be dealing with bitter love, the demons in his head and figuring out the fate of his future. As listeners, we are caught in what sounds like a dazed dream state, filled with blues guitar rhythms and Dominic Fike’s gruff voice. Another notable track is “Babydoll,” which speaks to the theme of bitterness and a love that can no longer handle strife. It starts with a classic blues guitar with Fike’s voice following in a gritty yet gentle tone.
The EP ends with “Westcoast Collective,” a perfect culmination to the trials and tribulations of a relationship. By the end, it resolves gratifyingly with Fike’s resurgence of hope as he steps away from the turbulence.
An additional track that was added is “Batshit,” which perfectly sums Dominic’s feelings through the ups and downs of his feelings in the rest of the EP. It clearly portrays his anger and feelings of derangement that can come from dealing with a partner.
Overall, it is clear why Columbia Records decided to pick up Dominic Fike after releasing these demos from jail. He is versatile, talented and unafraid to experiment and mix genres. It feels natural and is packaged in a way that makes you question if this is outside his comfort zone or not.