Second Wind: Daniel Seavey’s Soundtrack of Resilience

Daniel Seavey, Second Wind Promo Shoot, Image from Ticketek

Breaking away from his roots as a member of former boy-band Why Don’t We, Daniel Seavey encapsulates the hardships of growing up with an air of optimism for the future and reminiscing over cherished moments on his debut solo album Second Wind, released on March 7th, 2025.

From the first seconds of the opening titular track, Second Wind, the initial soft sinth-pop guitar strums immediately transform into an up-beat tune, taking us along on a road trip down the shoreline on a cool summer night. While infectious with its sonic serotonin, the lyrics tell a story of deep-rooted resilience found within Seavey, pushing towards a newfound purpose. (“You try to cast me away/but you know I’d come

back again/I was lost and afraid/but you gave me a second wind” ) This sentiment of moving past struggles and turning them into sources of inspiration, is further echoed throughout this album.

Although on Second Wind, the artist embraces that it is within his power to take control of his attitude towards a situation, the subsequent tracks, Waves and The Older You Get, make Seavey dive head first into an ocean of uncertainty and put his perseverance to the test through a difficult romantic relationship and watching the world around him constantly change. Even with the energetic sounds of both tracks and Daniel’s powerful vocals, the pain behind the lyrics is undeniable, but ultimately brings up back to the idea of acceptance in order to move on.

On a slower, yet still just as punchy, stripped-down melody for the fourth track Lose Me Like You Mean It, is where Seavey further talks about the challenges his past relationship was experiencing, undeniably coming to an end, however neither party was taking the final step. (“I need you to lose me like you mean it/ break my heart leave it in pieces”) Seavey asks his ex-partner to break off things between them to make the loss feel real for him, and to start making sense of life again. Yet, once it happens, he is forced to deal with the agony constant reminders of the past are causing him in Sleeping With The Lights On. The most drum heavy song on this record captures the fear that can come with embracing change, often making it easier to sulk in what is already familiar instead. (“Those sheets still smell like you/And your pistachio perfume”).

Second Wind Album Cover Art

Despite being an advocate for persistency, Seavey acknowledges how mentally draining change can be even more so on his piano ballad If I Ever Get to Heaven. Stripped of all production, Seavey dedicates the song to a dear friend Corey La Barrie, who died in a car crash in 2020 – an all-consuming loss for the singer. His vocals shake with vulnerability and profound anguish as he sings “If I ever get to heaven/You know I got a long list of questions/…Are you angry when the earth quakes.../Why can’t you stop a car from crashing?” This song is perhaps the prime example of how tough acceptance can be for a person during times of grief.

In an interview with MILKY, Seavey said “I think I am an optimistic person. I really don’t like to like sit in the negative thoughts and let them consume me”. Seavey wanted this stand to be clear by closing the record with Other People. In this track, we return to the shore with the singer after a tough swim in the violent sea, releasing all control he has on life, accepting that everything can run its course, no matter how hard you try to make it work. “You know it’s over, when it’s over baby/ I guess it’s time to let it go” - is a beautiful ending message for the listeners of his 12-song-project.

Throughout the album the Daniel Seavey has shown vulnerability with situations in his life, from the loss of his band to the death of his friend and a complicated relationship. With every song, he faced these challenges with strength and resilience, ultimately reminding us all that – we too can work past everything.

Two week after the record’s release, Seavey embarked on his Second Wind World Tour, with two stops in the UK to come - Manchester (17th May) and London (18th May). Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Listen to Second Wind below: