Second Last Day of Summer

There’s an old trope about the last day of summer vacation; that it represents access to endless, effortless joy. But it’s not really like that at all. Just ask Payson Power, the guitarist and creative force behind Toronto’s Daydream Plus. “Growing up, whenever I’d see a film that takes place on the last day of summer, I’d be like, ‘You’re already at the depressing part!’ The good part is the second-to-last day of summer, because it’s the last day you can live consequence-free.” That moment, where you can still watch movies and play video games until the sun comes up, is what inspired Power to write Daydream Plus’ first full-length album, Second Last Day of Summer. What makes that day so beautiful is, subconsciously, you know it’s all about to come to an end.

After a lifetime spent playing heavy music, Power formed Daydream Plus in 2020 as a way to explore melodic, catchy compositions, indulging influences he’d only been able to access in brief flashes. After two EPs where the Toronto trio existed in the narrow overlap between intricate math rock and urbane city pop, Power slowly expanded his scope. Taking bits from video game soundtracks, energetic anime scores, and even chords yanked straight from the Steely Dan songbook, Second Last Day of Summer sees Daydream Plus building a more richly detailed world. Aided by Power’s fellow Tomb Mold bandmates, drummer Max Klebanoff and bassist Kevin Sia, the trio work to take the spirit of Don Caballero and apply a sheen of smooth jazz atop it.

Side A

1. Tutorial

2. Metropolitan Mirage

3. Speed Limit

4. Lockpick

5. Emergency Exit

6. More Time Alone

Side B

1. Stiletto Flourish

2. Nautical Twilight

3. Undertow

4. Hard to Destroy

5. Constellation

6. Wave Goodbye