Lucky Daye's Algorithm is for the R&B Lovers.
*fighting the urge to make a Lucky Day(e) pun*
Lucky Daye is a singer/songwriter from New Orleans, Louisiana with a long list of song credits under his belt. He’s written for Boys II Men, Ne-Yo, Ella Mai, ZAYN, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and more. Since the release of his debut album, Painted, in 2019, he’s experienced a meteoric ascent in the industry. He’s now a Grammy award winner for his 2022 project, Table for Two winning Best Progressive R&B Album. Raised in a church where secular music was forbidden, Lucky cultivated a profound love and appreciation for music across all genres, which has significantly influenced his artistic evolution and musical style today.
Fast forward to June 2024, Lucky dropped his new album Algorithm and I can’t get enough of this well-crafted project. Lucky and (my favorite producer out right now,) D’Mile teamed up to create a project that is overtly influenced by funk, rock, alternative, and that classic R&B sound. Algorithm is a body of work that you can tell took time, each song carefully selected for a greater narrative - a narrative that Daye himself can be very proud of. Throughout the album, he sings of love, loss, lust, and more.
“I know I’m solidified as far as in the industry and Grammy nominations, my peers love me and I have diehard fans who I love dearly. So now, I think this is a guy saying you can go crazy, you can travel through the world of creativity and you don’t need to feel like you’re in a box no more. And if it win, it win. And if it don’t, I’m still in my purpose. I’m comfortable with that.” - Lucky Daye, Variety 2024
It’s clear that we’re in a new era for R&B. However, I find it odd that artists like Lucky Daye aren’t dominating the radio. I understand that the climate for musical releases has changed. That being said, Algorithm is undoubtedly Lucky Daye’s best project. I haven’t been this excited about a male R&B album in a long time. While the women in R&B are currently leading the scene, Lucky Daye is carving out a unique space for himself and truly shines through.
Featuring dynamic collaborations with RAYE and Teddy Swims, production by D’Mile, and instrumentation that nostalgically evokes the ambiance of an old dive bar while remaining refreshingly modern. Songs like HERicane, Mary, and Blame all have instrumentation that is composed using guitars, piano, and drums complemented by Lucky’s passionate vocals on each song. Daye is undoubtedly one of the top five male vocalists in today's new school R&B, and I'm sure he would agree.
Algorithm is an album that not only showcases his growth as an artist but also sets a new standard for what R&B can be. I love that each R&B artist today brings something valuable to the genre and Lucky is no exception. As fans and critics alike continue to celebrate this release, it’s evident that Lucky Daye is not just borrowing elements of the past in his music—he’s helping to shape the future of R&B for a mainstream audience.
Thank you for taking the time to read everyone. Feel free to like, share, or comment. Enjoy your weekend! :) - Diona
Great article!