Dan San - “Hard Days Are Gone”

In 2016, Belgium’s Dan San won numerous awards with the album, Shelter. Seven years later, Dan San has decided to resurface with a track called “Hard Days Are Gone.” We’re here to tell you that it was definitely worth the wait.

To be honest, we do not know any of Dan San’s previous work, but what we can tell you is that “Hard Days Are Gone” has every single ingredient in place to make you long for the 1970s. This recording is thick as hell and wastes no time getting underway, with the vocals beginning almost immediately– this gives you absolutely minimal time to brace yourselves for how freaking fantastic they are. The overall vibe of the song has a soothing, laid-back, “Instant Karma” feel to it. But seriously, this track is so structurally sound that you can practically hear the glue drying in the rhythm section. So good… So refreshing…

The harmonies on the refrain are an absolute delight, and might as well be a choir of angels. You will only claim that this is an exaggeration until you’ve actually witnessed it. These vocals are spot on, which makes the single line of the chorus quite the ear worm. In lieu of a bitchin’ ‘70s guitar solo, Dan San decided to seize the opportunity and strip it all back to a simple piano and vocal, hitting the refrain so hard that you might even start to believe that ‘hard days are [actually] gone.’ The rest of the band returns for the epic ending and you’re left hoping that we do not have to wait another seven years for another taste. No matter who you are or what kind of music you’re into, you are going to love this one.

And be sure to catch the video!

-TM