Album Review: Lucky Daye, Algorithm

Lucky Daye

Algorithm (released June 28, 2024)

If only y’all knew the battles I fought on your behalf.

A few months ago, I had the misfortune of arguing with someone on the Innanets (shocking for me, I know) about emergence of Lucky Daye as an R&B headliner.

According to this R&B expert, Lucky’s buzz is so strong and his presence is becoming so inescapable that he MUST be a, sigh, industry plan.

My life was so much simpler before they taught y’all such empty Twitter buzzwords.

For the uninformed, the term “industry plants” describes artists who are presented as emerging stars with grassroots followings out of nowhere but are actually pushed and funded by shady industry overlords, in most cases putting these neophytes in positions they haven’t yet earned.

But because social media distorts everything, “industry plant” now means “any artist I’m not familiar with who everyone on my timeline likes.” They must be frauds!

Well, let me set the record straight – Lucky Daye is no industry plant. His roots run deep, he’s been paying his dues behind the scenes for the better part of 15 years.  

And unless you’re new here, you know this site has been the home of four irrefutable words:

Lucky. Daye. Don’t. Miss.

Three albums in, and I still don’t see a lie. No frauds here.

Algorithm once again pairs Lucky’s inventive songwriting with top-tier production, including input from R&B MVP D’Mile. But don’t expect a rehash of previous LPs Painted or Candydrip. Algorithm embraces a rock aesthetic that does wonders to diversify his sound, as well as keep the listener’s pulse pounding.

Opening track “Never Leavin U Lonely” is the perfect tone-setter. Electric guitar licks light up the track, creating an energetic yet soulful rock experience. It bleeds directly in the single “HERicane,” one of the best tracks of 2024. It’s that blend of edgy sensuality that only the greats like Lenny Kravitz can pull off, but Lucky doesn’t miss a beat.

“Soft” slows the pace down just a tad for a more yacht-rock groove; ironic that a track this effortlessly laid back is all about a girl making Lucky lose his cool.  Again, the production is as much of a star as Lucky is. The title track is an intriguing two-sided coin – the first half is the usual upbeat affair but everything is flipped on the second half, with his vocals now distorted and melting into a sea of confusion. Yeah, it sounds weird on paper but it works way better than you’d expect.  From the 80s-inspired “Top” to the unmistakable Prince vibes on “Pin” and even a formidable duet with Teddy Swims on “Blame” the first half of Algorithm features some of the best R&B I’ve heard in years.

And y’all know I’ve heard it all.

That said, the album’s second half can’t maintain the momentum of the first. That’s not to say it’s bad – far from it. Things just go from downright exceptional to just pretty good.

First single “That’s You” and probable next single “Think Different” are both very well written – the message of expanding your mind to the prospect of love especially shines on the latter – but just don’t leave the same impression as the previous tracks. Same goes for “Breakin the Bank” and “Mary,” the latter of which totally gives into the rock influences.

Things pick way up as the album wraps up. “Paralyzed” is a beautiful acoustic ballad with RAYE, with the stripped-down setting bringing weight to their emotional lyrics. And the closer “Diamond in Teal” might as well been called “Pearls in Purple” due to the undeniable Prince motif, an environment Lucky is extremely comfortable in.

While the second half isn’t as razor sharp as the first, Algorithm remains a triumph, Lucky’s most daring and, yes, his best album to date. More than that, it currently stands as the best R&B album of 2024 so far.

Industry plant? Nah, more like industry powerhouse.

And to that guy who said to me, “what will you do when Lucky finally misses?”

I guess we’ll never know.

Best tracks: “HERicane,” “Soft,” “Top”

4 stars out of 5