SONG REVIEW: Darro - "Used Me (All Along)"

Darro engages in smooth melodic riffage with “Used Me (All Along)

Written by JD Walker

There’s sometimes a fine line between songs that rely primarily on songwriting chops and solid delivery, and songs where the main selling point is technical musicianship and impressive licks. Bands that can find the perfect middle ground are few and far between, but tend to be something truly remarkable. Darro, a familiar face to the Ghost Killer Entertainment crowd, finds the happy medium between technical riffery and smooth songwriting in their latest single, “Used Me (All Along)”. The song features noodly, Swancore-esque guitar work while leaning heavily on the eponymous frontman’s smooth and easily listenable vocal stylings.

The song opens with a subdued preview of what’s to come - an insanely catchy but technically impressive opening riff that’s reminiscent of modern post-hardcore. Darro’s polished vocals open the first verse and lull the listener into a sense of easygoing groove before kicking into a more energetic chorus. The song follows an industry-standard song structure which plays to the benefit of the listener, making it a song that’s fun to engage in but also easy to leave in the background and serve as the soundtrack of the day. 

“Used Me (All Along)” utilizes a multitude of genres in this colorful amalgamation of sounds and musical textures, blending passages of alt-rock, pop, R&B, and selective passages of funk-infused basslines. Darro’s vocal delivery makes for a tightly knit bow on a beautiful presentation, making the song interesting enough to keep the listener eagerly anticipating where the sign goes without going too off the rails and losing the vibe that’s been carefully built. Darro’s vocals sit somewhere between crooning and high energy pop-punk delivery, which on the surface sounds like an oxymoron but really is the only way to describe the unique singing style. 

To the uninitiated, “Used Me (All Along)” serves as a great introduction to what Darro is all about. To those that are familiar with the band and sound, the song is another chapter in the ever-evolving story of a unique and insanely catchy band. Based on previous songs and the newest single, Darro is all about unique instrumentals and passionate, inspirational vocal hooks. If there were ever a band that truly has something for everyone, Darro is the answer.