Sydney’s resident purveyor of chaotic alt-pop, Daphnie, has returned with a vibrant new anthem that perfectly captures the existential dread of your late twenties. The self-produced single, titled ‘28’, serves as a high-energy ode to the bizarre realisation that you are officially "growing up" - even if you don't feel remotely prepared for the responsibility.
The track, co-written with Thomas Bleach, is a masterclass in the blurry, nostalgic soundscapes Daphnie has been perfecting. Layered with witty quips and "nonsensical phrases," it’s an energetic burst of pop that feels like a fever dream of the early 2000s. Behind the moniker is Alistair Hayes, a former "jazz nerd" who swapped a degree in performance for the world of bold, infectious pop.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Daphnie shares: “People often talk about growing up referring to childhood, but in reality we don’t stop growing and changing, and the older you get the more confusing and weird it becomes.”
For Daphnie, the milestone of 28 brought a strange mix of physical aging and a lack of traditional "adult" stability. “Something I didn’t realise could happen is having all the trademark signs of aging, being ‘2000 and late’ for listening to the Black Eyed Peas, not seeing friends or doing fun things as much; while also somehow not having your life together," he explains. "I don’t wanna blink and miss it all, but it feels dangerously easy to.”
Despite its playful final form, the road to ‘28’ was a meticulous nine-month journey. Hayes admits the team cycled through "hundreds of ideas" and seven different pre-choruses to find the right balance between cleverness and honesty. “I feel like we really had to get through all the ‘clever’ ‘quirky’ ideas for it to realise all we wanted to say was ‘we’re too young to possibly be 28’,” he notes.
With a resume that includes drumming for the likes of The Veronicas, Lastlings, and The Buoys, Daphnie continues to prove why he’s a staple of the Australian indie scene. ‘28’ follows a string of successful releases like ‘Minimalism’ and ‘Cupid’, further cementing his reputation for creating "ear candy" with a relatable, neurotic edge.
Stream ‘28’ on all platforms now and follow Daphnie on social media for more pop-fuelled chaos. For more, be sure to find Daphnie on Instagram and TikTok.
