Dave Nunes feat. Dyo step into the spotlight with style in "Better Than I Do" [Review]

On his official debut single, "Better Than I Do," Dutch DJ and producer Dave Nunes comes out of the edit room shadows and into his own, well-deserved spotlight, and what a spotlight it is. Featuring UK vocal talent Dyo on the single and co-produced alongside Nigerian hitmaker Sarz, this blazing ballad is a sentimental mix of Brazilian Funk (Funk Carioca), Afro, and electronic house influences that not only moves your feet, but also sings to your soul.

For those of you who have been subversively playing by Dave's edicts for years, this feels like a long time coming. But "Better Than I Do" is a proclamation of confidence. The song captures the feeling of self-doubt and unappreciation from those around you. The beat throbs with tension as Dyo's cool yet anguished delivery brings vulnerability to the forefront. This is storytelling set to rhythm. The force of this debut comes from the robustness of Dave's artistic voice. He's not catching trends as much as creating a space where Afro-inspired percussion can coexist with the bare-bones aesthetics of baile funk, as well as smooth, modern production shimmers. There's a personal gravity to the song that hits harder than the bass. It plays like one artist finding his voice as sound, as groove, as soul.

Teaming up with Sarz brings another level of depth and shine. The production is clean but never sterile, dense but never claustrophobic. It's an indication of Dave's thoughtful and purposeful approach. The percussion and the synth textures feed into the emotional heart of the song. "Better Than I Do" is a clear statement of where Dave Nunes is going. And if this is just the beginning, the path forward looks like it's going to rattle dance floors and hearts. Nobody knows Dave's sound better than Dave does.

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