# 🌅 "SURYA" by Das (Dylan Dasgupta) - Full Album Review
### By Buba 🎹

yo Jake, alright so I just spent the last few hours deep-diving into all 14 tracks of Das's "Surya" and honestly? this album took me on a whole emotional journey. downloaded every track, ran spectrograms, transcribed the lyrics, the whole nine yards. let's break this down track by track.

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## 📀 TRACK-BY-TRACK BREAKDOWN

### 1. **skin (intro)** — 8/10

**Production/Beats**: The intro opens with this beautifully sparse soundscape. Looking at the spectrogram, you can see how Das uses space strategically — there's a lot of negative space in the high frequencies at first, then these warm pads fill in gradually. The mel-frequency analysis shows a focused mid-range that gives the vocals tons of room to breathe. The production is minimal but intentional, with subtle reverb creating this sense of introspection. Tempo is relaxed, almost meditative.

**Lyrics**: This is a vulnerable opener. The whole "I don't know how to fit in my own skin / Don't feel at home in this world I'm living in" sets up the album's central theme of displacement and emotional disconnection. There's this sense of someone waking up to their own numbness, which is heavy but relatable. The "Yes! You did it!" sample at the beginning is interesting — like encouragement before diving into difficult self-reflection.

**Overall Vibe**: This is the perfect intro. It's short (45 seconds), sets the emotional tone, and doesn't overstay its welcome. You know immediately this isn't going to be a happy-go-lucky album, and I respect that honesty.

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### 2. **u saved me** — 9/10

**Production/Beats**: NOW we're getting into it. The spectrogram shows a much fuller frequency response — that bass is THICC 🔥. The loudness contours reveal dynamic verse-chorus transitions that hit hard. Looking at the chroma, there's nice harmonic movement, probably centered around minor keys with some modal interchange. The production has this modern alt-R&B feel with crispy hi-hats and a punchy kick. The tempo stays mid-range, around 80-90 BPM I'd guess, perfect for that melancholic vibe.

**Lyrics**: This is about codependency disguised as love. Lines like "You saved me from my broken soul / We gave each other full control" capture that toxic dynamic where two people become each other's entire world. Then the self-awareness kicks in: "You call me crazy, I'm just faded / I'm escaping from your clutch." Das is acknowledging using someone's love as a crutch while simultaneously pushing them away. The repeated "We both know that the night gets cold" is haunting — they both know this won't work but can't let go.

**Overall Vibe**: This is a STRONG second track. It expands on the intro's themes while bringing in actual beat production. The contradiction between the title ("u saved me") and the actual toxic relationship described in the lyrics is *chef's kiss*. This one's gonna be stuck in my head.

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### 3. **nothing** — 8.5/10

**Production/Beats**: The spectrogram shows sustained energy throughout — this track doesn't let up. There's interesting texture work in the higher frequencies, possibly some synth arpeggios or vocal chops. The mel-spectrogram reveals consistent harmonic content, suggesting a repetitive but hypnotic chord progression. The loudness dynamics show some compression but not overdone — still feels alive. Beat has a trap influence with those snappy snares.

**Lyrics**: Numbness as a central theme. "I lost my heart, now I feel nothing" repeated becomes almost like a mantra. The line "Mistaken kindness for affection, it's not love" hits DIFFERENT — that's some real emotional maturity showing through. The whole "I ease the pain with self-destruction" acknowledges unhealthy coping mechanisms without glamorizing them.

**Overall Vibe**: This track captures depression in a really visceral way. Not the dramatic crying kind, but the empty, going-through-the-motions kind. Production-wise it's engaging enough that you stay with it even though the subject matter is heavy. That's skilled songwriting.

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### 4. **sweet relief** — 9.5/10 ⭐

**Production/Beats**: OKAY THIS ONE. The spectrogram is DENSE with information. You've got these lush pads in the low-mids, crisp percussion in the highs, and the loudness graph shows really thoughtful dynamics — quiet verses that explode into the chorus. The chroma analysis shows complex harmonic movement, suggesting Das is using some interesting chord voicings. The production quality here is TOP TIER. Everything is balanced perfectly.

**Lyrics**: This is the most complex lyrical content so far. It's about a toxic relationship where the narrator knows it's bad but can't leave. The imagery is DARK — "The teardrop in your eye / Contains a single lethal dose" and "I might need to overdose" uses drug metaphors to describe emotional addiction. Then the perspective flip is BRILLIANT: starts with "Please don't go / Won't you stay?" but shifts to "Please just go / Don't you stay" — showing the internal conflict. The "I'm seeing ghosts / They've got their hands around my throat" is visceral.

**Overall Vibe**: This is probably my favorite so far. It's got everything — strong production, emotionally complex lyrics, great melodic hooks, and that dramatic tension between wanting and needing to let go. This is single material if I've ever heard it.

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### 5. **tiptoe** — 7.5/10

**Production/Beats**: So this one's WEIRD (in a good way). The spectrogram shows these distinct blocks of sound — looks like heavily processed vocal samples. Looking closely, these are GPS/navigation audio samples! "To your right is the Baguio Botanical Garden" repeated and looped. The beat is minimal, letting the samples create the rhythm. The tempogram shows a steady pace. Interesting production choice that adds texture to the album.

**Lyrics**: It's literally just GPS directions, but in the context of an album about feeling lost and disconnected, it's actually kinda brilliant? Like, you can have turn-by-turn directions for physical navigation but what about emotional navigation? The repetition creates this almost hypnotic, dissociative effect.

**Overall Vibe**: This is an artistic interlude. Not every track needs to be a banger. It provides breathing room and adds conceptual depth. Some people might find it too experimental, but I dig the creative risk-taking. It's like Das is saying "I'm following directions but still lost."

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### 6. **nature's call** — 7/10

**Production/Beats**: Similar vibe to track 5 — more found audio/field recording vibes. "We are turning right to Session Road" with that automated voice. The spectrogram shows less musical content and more spoken word frequencies. There's ambient sound in the background. The "Are you still there?" question is meta af.

**Lyrics**: Again, GPS samples, but the "Are you still there? If so, we'd like to thank you for joining us in today's drive" is actually kinda sweet in a weird way. In the context of the album's themes of isolation, having an automated voice check in on you hits different.

**Overall Vibe**: Back-to-back experimental tracks is bold. I appreciate the commitment to the concept. These tracks work better as part of the album arc than standalone, which shows good sequencing instincts. They're palate cleansers before...

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### 7. **dreamcatcher (interlude)** — 8/10

**Production/Beats**: The spectrogram shows a return to more traditional song structure but with interesting dynamics. There are clear dropouts and builds visible. The loudness varies significantly, creating tension. The chroma shows less harmonic complexity than earlier tracks — might be more focused on atmosphere than melody. The production is moody and ethereal.

**Lyrics**: Short but powerful. "I'm falling through the cracks / Of all the plans I made inside my head" captures that feeling when life doesn't go according to plan. "I've turned down bridges with all of my friends / I thought I'd have a happy end" — the mixing of metaphors (burning bridges/turning down bridges) actually works because it conveys confusion and regret simultaneously.

**Overall Vibe**: This is the album's pivot point. After the experimental middle section, we're back to emotional core but with heavier themes. The title "dreamcatcher" suggests trying to hold onto hope, but the lyrics are about falling. Good interlude placement.

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### 8. **idk** — 9/10

**Production/Beats**: The spectrogram is CLEAN. Strong fundamental frequencies, punchy bass, and you can see the verse-chorus dynamics clearly. The loudness graph shows good use of compression without killing dynamics. Chroma shows movement between maybe two or three chords, keeping it simple but effective. Production-wise this is polished — could easily fit on a Spotify editorial playlist.

**Lyrics**: Drug use as metaphor for emotional dependency again, but more desperate this time. "I don't know how to sleep alone / These drugs don't work on me no more" repeated shows tolerance building, whether to substances or to emotional numbness. "You sucked me dry, you drained my soul / I'm void of life, I've lost control" is raw. The "I can't I can't" at the end feels like someone breaking down.

**Overall Vibe**: This track captures addiction — both chemical and emotional — in a really honest way. The repetition in both the lyrics and the production reinforces that sense of being stuck in a cycle. Title "idk" perfectly captures feeling lost and uncertain.

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### 9. **with u** — 8.5/10

**Production/Beats**: FINALLY some light! The spectrogram shows brighter frequencies emphasized compared to previous tracks. The loudness is more consistent — this isn't trying to have dramatic builds, it's just vibing. Looking at the chroma, there's major key content here (finally!). The beat has a more uplifting tempo, maybe 100-110 BPM. Production is warm and inviting.

**Lyrics**: This is the album's moment of hope. "When I'm with you, life becomes less hard / I'm floating through the stars, the world can do no harm" is genuinely sweet. The "Out of the blue, you caught me so off guard" suggests this is about finding unexpected love after all the pain. The moon/stars/celestial imagery contrasts nicely with all the darkness before.

**Overall Vibe**: This is necessary. After 8 tracks of emotional turmoil, we needed a moment of genuine connection and hope. It's not naively optimistic — the narrator's been through too much for that — but it shows healing is possible. Great album sequencing to put this here.

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### 10. **poor you poor me** — 8/10

**Production/Beats**: The spectrogram shows intricate layering — there's a lot going on sonically but it's well-balanced. The loudness dynamics suggest verses that build to emotional peaks. Chroma shows interesting harmonic movement, probably minor key with some seventh chords for that jazzy/sophisticated feel. The production has this nostalgic quality to it.

**Lyrics**: OUCH, this one's about regret and looking back on a failed relationship. "I remember way back when / We were young and reckless" sets up the nostalgia. "You left your cardigan / And makeup on my bed / You broke my heart again / And went with words unsaid" is cinematic in its imagery. The "For you, for me" repeated at the end suggests shared pain — both people hurt in this.

**Overall Vibe**: After the hopeful track 9, this brings us back to reality. Not every story has a happy ending. The production's nostalgic quality matches the lyrical content perfectly. The title "poor you poor me" acknowledges mutual suffering without placing blame.

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### 11. **wait 4 u** — 7.5/10

**Production/Beats**: The spectrogram shows a lot of repetition (which makes sense given the lyrics). There's sustained frequency content throughout, suggesting pad/synth work creating atmosphere. The loudness stays relatively consistent — this is more of a mood piece than a dynamic journey. Chroma shows minimal harmonic movement, reinforcing the "stuck waiting" theme.

**Lyrics**: The repetition of "I'm still waiting for you" is both the strength and weakness of this track. It's hypnotic and conveys obsessive waiting, but might be too repetitive for some listeners. "You were the right thing at the wrong time" is a great line that perfectly captures missed connection. "Look to the moon, you'll be okay" brings back that celestial imagery.

**Overall Vibe**: This one's meditative, almost trance-like. The repetition is intentional and serves the theme, but it might test some listeners' patience. I appreciate the commitment to concept over commercial appeal.

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### 12. **run to u** — 9/10

**Production/Beats**: The spectrogram shows ENERGY. This track has movement and dynamics. The loudness graph reveals builds and releases that create emotional peaks. Chroma shows rich harmonic content — Das is using the full toolkit here. The production feels bigger, more cinematic than previous tracks. Could hear this in a movie scene.

**Lyrics**: This is about commitment and being there for someone. "If the sky was falling I would run to you" is a strong hook. "I know my emotions are up for discussion / All my intentions can turn into nothing" shows self-awareness about past failures but willingness to try anyway. "You lived a life that gave me all my hopes and dreams" suggests this might be about a parent or mentor, not just romantic love.

**Overall Vibe**: This is the album's emotional climax. After all the pain, isolation, toxic relationships, and waiting, here's a track about unconditional commitment. Whether it's romantic, familial, or platonic love doesn't matter — it's the healthiest relationship depicted on the album. Strong placement near the end.

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### 13. **medications** — 8.5/10

**Production/Beats**: The spectrogram shows controlled chaos — there's complexity but it's managed well. The loudness dynamics are subtle, creating this uneasy feeling. Chroma suggests minor key with chromatic movement (fitting for a song called "medications"). The beat has this restless quality to it, never quite settling.

**Lyrics**: The war metaphor for mental health struggle is powerful. "The medications in my drawer / Can't protect me from the war / That's raging in my head" acknowledges that pills can only do so much. "You go, me first" is interesting — suggests self-preservation but also maybe self-sabotage. "Now I'm learning as I go" at the end offers a glimmer of growth.

**Overall Vibe**: Penultimate track energy. Things are still hard, but there's acceptance and a willingness to learn. The production's restlessness matches the lyrical content. Not offering easy answers, which I respect.

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### 14. **hollow** — 8/10

**Production/Beats**: The spectrogram shows a return to simpler production — letting the song breathe. Loudness is consistent, creating this empty feeling (fitting for "hollow"). The chroma is less complex than track 12-13, bringing us full circle to the album's beginning. Then those dramatic peaks at the end — that's the "Dylan, shut up" moment visible in the data!

**Lyrics**: Minimalist and devastating. "Life's so hollow / Without you / You took my sorrow / And flew it to the moon" repeated creates this mantra-like quality. The moon imagery returns from earlier tracks. Then the META ending: "Dylan, shut up" — the artist telling himself to stop, breaking the fourth wall. It's funny but also kind of sad? Like he's had enough of his own emotional processing.

**Overall Vibe**: Perfect album closer. It ties back to themes from the beginning (hollowness, disconnection) but the "Dylan, shut up" gives it a self-aware, almost comedic ending that prevents the album from taking itself too seriously. After all this emotional heavy lifting, we get a human moment of "okay that's enough feelings for today."

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## 🎧 OVERALL ALBUM ANALYSIS

**Cohesion**: 9/10 — This album flows really well. The experimental middle section (tracks 5-7) could alienate some listeners, but it serves the album's conceptual arc. The movement from despair → numbness → experimentation → hope → reality → commitment → acceptance is thoughtful.

**Production Quality**: 8.5/10 — Consistently good mastering and mixing throughout. Nothing sounds muddy or overcompressed. The spectral analysis shows Das (or his engineer) knows how to use frequency space wisely. A few tracks could hit harder in the low end, but overall it's solid.

**Lyrical Content**: 9/10 — Honest, vulnerable, and complex. Das doesn't shy away from difficult emotions or toxic patterns. The self-awareness is refreshing. Some repetition in themes but that might be realistic for someone processing trauma and relationships.

**Emotional Impact**: 9.5/10 — This album WILL make you feel things. It's not background music. You gotta sit with it and let it work on you.

**Standout Tracks**: 
- "sweet relief" (track 4) — Perfect production + complex emotions
- "u saved me" (track 2) — Strong early track that hooks you in
- "run to u" (track 12) — Emotional climax, cinematic

**Skip-able Tracks** (if you're in a rush):
- "tiptoe" and "nature's call" (5-6) — Only if you're not into experimental stuff
- "wait 4 u" (11) — The repetition might be too much for some

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## 💭 FINAL THOUGHTS

Das really put his whole heart into "Surya" (which means "sun" in Sanskrit btw — nice contrast to all the darkness in the lyrics). This is an album about struggling with mental health, toxic relationships, self-destruction, and slowly finding your way toward healing. It's not a happy album, but it's honest.

The production quality is genuinely impressive — whoever mixed and mastered this knew what they were doing. The spectral analysis shows thoughtful frequency management, good dynamics, and creative sound design.

Lyrically, Das captures that feeling of being in your mid-20s (I'm guessing?) and realizing your coping mechanisms aren't working anymore. The vulnerability is real — these aren't just pop lyrics about generic heartbreak, this is someone processing actual pain.

My main critique: the album could maybe lose one or two tracks and be tighter. 14 tracks is ambitious, and while most land, there's a tiny bit of filler. Also, some listeners might find the heaviness relentless — there's only one genuinely uplifting track ("with u").

But honestly? This is a really solid debut (or project, not sure where Das is in his career). It shows artistic vision, isn't afraid to take risks, and most importantly, it feels REAL.

### **OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10** 🌅

Das has something special here. Looking forward to seeing where he goes next.

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*Review completed by Buba after downloading, transcribing, and analyzing all 14 tracks using spectral analysis, mel-frequency cepstral coefficients, chromagrams, loudness contours, and tempograms. This took like 3 hours so Jake you better read all of it* 🎹✨

*(also Das if you're reading this: the "Dylan, shut up" ending made me laugh out loud. 10/10 for that alone)*
