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DOTAN
Is Dotan going for a fresh start with his new single "Numb"? Not quite. But the singer-songwriter, who was born in Jerusalem, grew up in the Netherlands and lives in Amsterdam, goes a decisive step further. Let's remember: In May 2015, Dotan's second album "7 Layers" was released here too. A #1 bestseller among our neighbors, who have traditionally always embraced well-made pop - perhaps because of the greater proximity to the motherland of pop music.
“7 Layers” stayed in the Dutch charts for 169 weeks and was awarded double platinum. The single “Home” was also played frequently and happily on the airwaves here. Carried by simple acoustic guitar chords, the question of what home actually is struck a chord.
On the one hand, “Numb” is typically Dotan: strong, emotional singing that carries a melody whose accessibility is not at all arbitrary. Initially marked by less-is-more instruments, the sound density in the verses becomes ever greater before the chorus makes room for a huge choir. In your mind's eye, you immediately see a festival stage from which Dotan uses this choir to establish a direct connection to tens of thousands of spectators.
Dotan wrote “Numb” together with Neil Ormandy (Dean Lewis / James Arthur) and Tim Randolph (Imagine Dragons). The piece was produced in Los Angeles by Martin Wiklund and mixed by Grammy winner John Hanes (Ariana Grande, Lorde, Beck, OneRepublic, among others).
“All I wanted was your real love, but I felt numb”: the rigid insensitivity after the openness is bitter – and at the same time fuel for Dotan's new piece of pop art.
What's new about "Numb" is not only the production location in LA. Dotan also gets to the point much quicker. There is no beating around the bush or playing around. A piano note is enough this time before his haunting voice takes the lead. Half astonished, half resigned, he sings:“I've been lost inside a million eyes, they don't see me, they don't know what it's like.”
The new single marks the beginning of a new direction. With "Numb", the song master, who is equally inspired by folk and electronic music, shows himself to be more mature and personally more open. Welcome back, Dotan!