Daya's 'Til Every Petal Drops' Transforms Her From a Pop Prodigy to a Pop Visionary: Album Review
- Abby Anderson
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Stand-out tracks: "Infrared" "Petals" "Bandit"
Our favorites: "Matador" "Recent Memory" "Demise"
Release date: October 10, 2025
For fans of: Tove Lo, Addison Rae, Zara Larsson
Nearly a decade after her last full-length project, Daya makes an unignorable return with her sophomore album Til Every Petal Drops. Released October 10, the project is a glimmering, emotionally-saturated collection that reintroduces the pop prodigy not just as a star, but as an artist reborn. Daya doesn't just pick up where she left off, she reinvents her sound, sharpens her edge, and dances right into a new era of pop dominance.
The electro-staccato intro of “Infrared” is the perfect re-introduction, calling back to the sound that first launched Daya into the spotlight while pointing firmly toward the future. It's a power play, sultry and romantic, laced with the kind of lyrical nuance that nods towards reinvention: “Baby, there’s a first time for everything,” she sings, both teasing and self-aware. The blown-out outro of the track is a power surge, announcing that Daya is back, and she's in her element.
“Agnostic” follows it up with a dreamy, bass-heavy ballad that spins the ache of emotional uncertainty into something irresistibly sweet. Daya’s honey-dipped vocals lay thick over the production, sitting on top of something soft and sweet like a dripping maraschino cherry. Her evolution is clear; pop may have made her famous, but dance-pop is where she’s truly starting to shine. “Matador” continues the duality that defines the album, equal parts nostalgic and fresh, dark and romantic. “Bandit,” released as her comeback single, remains a high point, spiraling into one of the most fully realized sonics of her career: polished, anthemic, and layered, while still echoing the early charm that drew listeners in nearly ten years ago. It’s a perfect reintroduction and a bridge between eras. And “Recent Memory” floats in with a lighter touch, while still pulsing with infatuation. Trap-tinged beats and Daya’s deeper vocal register show her playing with form and range, proving she’s not just chasing trends, but bending them to her will.
Daya also plays a clever trick with the album’s title. Til Every Petal Drops isn’t just a poetic image, but it becomes a narrative device. Songs like “Falls” and “Petals” are strategically placed to reflect the arc of a love in bloom and in collapse. “Petals” stands out as a production masterclass, shifting from a simple pop beat to a searing electric guitar line, laced with breathy vocal stims and intricate harmonies. It's both fragile and ferocious, much like the "Does he love me? Does he love me not?" emotional terrain Daya navigates throughout the album.
"Demise" closes the album with a final electric shock, intertwining everything that makes Daya magnetic: powerful, silky vocals; sultry lyrics; and a dance-pop beat just unpredictable enough to send chills down your spine. It’s a fitting finale to a record that proves Daya's staying power in a pop landscape that’s grown louder, faster, and more chaotic since her debut.
Til Every Petal Drops isn’t just Daya's return, but rather proof of her reinvention. With a clear sense of creative control, Daya proves she’s not here to be who she was. She’s setting her own pace with a project that feels like fresh start, bridging the shimmer of her early pop roots with the depth and daring of a more mature sound. Nearly a decade later, Daya isn’t just back, she’s blooming on her own terms.
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