Dallas Smith Sticks with Familiar Sound on “Wastin’ Gas”

Over the past year or so we’ve seen a handful of Canadian artists start to gain exposure in America (such as Kira Isabella, Tim Hicks and Steven Lee Olsen) but one who seems poised to make the biggest impact is former front man of rock band Default and Florida Georgia Line tour mate Dallas Smith. Smith’s music is radio friendly, while not selling out to the bro-crowd (aside from the unfortunate “Tippin’ Point.”) His newest single, which debuted at #45 on the Canadian airplay chart, does nothing to change that.

“Wastin’ Gas” is pretty much a vintage Dallas Smith single. Big, catchy title hook? Check. Rock edged production? Check. Engaged vocal? Check. “Wastin’ Gas” isn’t much different from the likes of “Nothing But Summer” and “Jumped Right In,” but Smith just sounds so comfortable on this type of song that it doesn’t really matter. In a genre full of generic radio smashes declaring that you must be drinking beer and staring at an attractive woman’s backside to have a good time, it’s nice to hear a feel good anthem that’s really just about soaking in the moment with someone you love.

As per usual with Dallas, the vocal here is strong, and the melodic structure is excellent. If I had one minor gripe with the song, it’s that the chorus becomes smothered with blaring guitars and pounding bass (I mean, it is Joey Moi after all…) but overall, the production encapsulates a feel of escapism that many major radio hits struggle to convey.

Is “Wastin’ Gas” a modern classic? No. It really isn’t. But what it is, is yet another in a long line of solid, likable Dallas Smith singles, and if Big Machine gets their act together, the longtime Vancouver Canucks fan could have a lengthy, successful career in the country format.

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