REVIEW: DE'WAYNE - june

DE’WAYNE’s latest release, june, arrives as his most ambitious and fully realised project to date. Described by the artist as his “epic rock love album”, it blends equal parts swagger, style, and vulnerability with a sound that refuses to stay within one genre. Rock, funk, soul, and pop all appear across the record, but what stands out the most is the consistency: every song feels purposeful and packed with emotion.

The album opens with ‘lady lady’, an introduction that wastes no time setting the tone. A sleazy, swaggering riff lays the foundations, quickly joined by a pulsing 80s-inspired synth bass and tight electronic drums. The first lyric, “now that you’re here”, is both an invitation and a statement of intent, making it feel like DE’WAYNE is speaking directly to you. The song struts with confidence, and by the time the outro fades into him humming the chorus of the next track, you’re already hooked. The “ready?” that bridges into the title track’s “one, two, three, four” intro is such a smooth touch, making the whole thing feel cinematic.

‘june’, the title track and centrepiece of the album, absolutely delivers on its placement. It’s bright, breezy, and effortlessly catchy, capturing the carefree energy of the summer months with a chorus that feels destined for singalongs. DE’WAYNE has described this track as the guiding light of the record, explaining that he “wanted to reframe vulnerability as a superpower, not a weakness”. That mission statement is fully realised here, with a track that radiates optimism while still remaining grounded in sincerity.

‘highway robbery’ keeps the energy going, and is easily one of the record’s most infectious songs. Snappy instrumentals and smooth vocals create a playful groove, built around the idea of being so enamoured with someone it feels criminal. The mix of funk slickness and pop catchiness highlights DE’WAYNE’s versatility, showing his ability to craft music that is both stylish and universal. 

The tone shifts with ‘sundays’, a heartfelt highlight that serves as the emotional core of june. Soaring vocals and lyrics such as “if it wasn’t for you, I don’t know who I’d be” strike immediately, and this weight deepens with DE’WAYNE’s explanation of its meaning. He explains that it’s meant to be an exploration of the complicated and often difficult relationship of a father and son, “where love and pain, admiration and resentment all live side by side”. That unfiltered honesty turns the track into the album’s most powerful and affecting moments.

Later in the tracklist, ‘forever’, offers a lighter change of pace. Featuring I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME, the collaboration leans into disco influences with an easy, party-ready energy. Rather than feeling like a detour, it blends naturally with the record’s wider palette, all while adding a playful sparkle. Closing out the album is ‘love raider’, a fitting finale that ties the record together beautifully. Revisiting the themes of love and infatuation that run throughout june, it packages them into a danceable, high-energy send-off. We get that cinematic feeling again, like the credits are rolling after the story has been told, and the track’s pulsing beat makes it easy to imagine as a euphoric live closer. 

The production across june is consistently impressive, achieving a sharp, colourful sound that is polished without being sterile. Guitars snarl, synths shimmer, and every element is placed with impeccable precision. Yet despite this intensity, the record retains an effortless, almost nonchalant flow that quickly becomes addicting. DE’WAYNE’s ability to cover a wide range of moods and genres while remaining cohesive is remarkable. Each song has its own identity, yet all of them connect to a larger vision; his voice, both literally and artistically, serves as the throughline, carrying immense amounts of personality, emotion, and conviction.

june is bold, soulful, and not afraid to take risks, proving DE’WAYNE to be a fearless voice in modern rock and beyond. 

Score: 9/10

june was released on July 30th 2025 via Fearless Records.  

Words: Zuzanna Pazola

Photos: DE'WAYNE