On September 29th, Dan Cohen released “Sunrise,” his first single of 2023. The Massachusetts artist brings peaceful and alluring tones to the five-minute track while stepping into R&B.

Words By Kempton Bohn / Graphic by Bea Kress / Photo by Jeanisha Mariah

Not many college students are able to get up in time to watch the sunrise, but Dan Cohen most definitely does. 

As the lead singer of The Gritty Jawns, Cohen does it all. In between, Cohen spends time developing his solo career, where he has been releasing music since 2020. Cohen’s most recent single “Sunrise,” released on September 29th, is a dreamy example of how far Cohen has come. 

The single’s electronic calmness and moody lyricism allow it to stand out from Cohen’s other ballads and pop tunes. “Sunrise” brings R&B-infused components to his discography, similar to the soft and gloomy styles of Frank Ocean or Joji. It’s certainly exciting to see whether Cohen decides to continue exploring this new aspect of his sound. 

With lyrics depicting the uncertainty of young love, the verses encapsulate the rare feeling of total passion for someone. As Cohen’s voice flows through the repeating chorus, the listener has no other choice but to imagine the sunrise in a lover’s eyes. Eventually, the song winds down, and with it comes a key change that can be heard while Cohen hums the final chorus. This difference is the exact addition needed to round out the alluring lullaby. 

The single’s cover art of cold-toned blues truly reflects the essence of “Sunrise.” From the muted background sounds to Cohen’s soothing vocals, the listener is transported to a horizon at dawn, slowly turning from a cool purple to a crisp blue. It’s here where you can’t help but wonder what the day will bring. 

Although it may be a difficult task to bring this tranquil, serene vibe to the house venues of Syracuse, listeners can always refer back to this track’s calming charm. In the meantime, we can all get lost in the genuine artistry that is Dan Cohen.