DE'WAYNE - june

DE’WAYNE’s third album ‘june’ explodes out of the gate with ‘lady lady’, a bright, bold slab of 70s/80s-style synth-rock that practically begs to be played at full volume. It’s the perfect opener for a record that’s all about maximalism, swagger and, crucially, fun.

Title-track ‘june’ follows, still drenched in vintage textures but switching up the mood. Throughout the album, DE’WAYNE commits completely to this technicolour retro-pop vision – think the neon-soaked ambition of Conan Gray’s recent 80s homage, but shot through with rock star grit.

‘Highway Robbery’ is another highlight, built on finger snaps and slinky percussion, with DE’WAYNE sounding like he’s having the time of his life. That sense of unfiltered joy is contagious; you can practically hear the grin in his voice as he barrels through track after track.

Elsewhere, ‘Sundays’ takes things into more heartfelt territory, pairing soaring synth lines with a raw, confessional vocal that echoes a synthier Sam Fender. Then there’s ‘Forever’, which shimmies into disco mode without ever losing the album’s swagger.

What’s remarkable about ‘june’ is how dense it is with ideas – there’s barely a beat or bar that doesn’t contain some little flourish or unexpected switch-up. Yet it never feels cluttered or overstuffed; DE’WAYNE threads everything together with sheer charisma and an unshakeable sense of identity.

More than just a nostalgia trip, ‘june’ is the sound of an artist flexing every creative muscle, twisting familiar influences into something bold and personal. It cements DE’WAYNE as a dynamic, endlessly fascinating performer – and if you’re looking for a record that’s bursting at the seams with hooks, style and gleeful invention, this is one to crank loud all summer long.