The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the room as I slide my headphones over my ears, gearing up for a melodious journey with Dan + Shay’s new album, Bigger Houses. As the crackling anticipation hangs in the air, I can’t help but ponder: Can an artist—especially a duo like Dan + Shay, who almost called it quits—navigate the labyrinth of reinvention without losing their essence?
With a decade of artistry in the rearview mirror, Dan + Shay are seasoned wanderers in the landscape of country-pop. They’ve been to the Grammys, friends; they’ve serenaded love and lamented heartbreak. Their influences—think Keith [...]