Grace Martine Tandon, best known by her stage name Daya, is an Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania-based singer, and composer. Daya, the 23-year-old vocal powerhouse whose soulful, lip-glossed croons you might recall from the Chainsmokers’ big 2016 Grammy winner “Don’t Let Me Down,” is about time you got to know her. Last year, the breakout artist, born Grace Tandon, made waves with her first album Sit Still, Look Pretty, which featured the Hot 100 chart-topper “Hideaway” and landed her at No. 5 on Billboard’s 2016 21 Under 21 list – all before she was 18 years old.
So here are some of the finest songs from Daya to make your day even better.
Words – Over ambient echoes, simmering percussion, and Daya’s distinctive raspy vocal edge, this scorching dance-pop earworm covers considerable ground in its three-and-a-half-minute runtime, layering meaningful lyrics about expressing those three important “Words” for the first time.
Cool – Another Sit Still hit, “Cool” has a significantly different flavor than the rest of the album’s tracks, leaning toward a chilled-out vibe with a bouncy, simple melody.
Back to Me – Daya’s raw heartache ballad, combining goosebump-inducing new vocal heights and delicate piano chords, is arguably the most expressive point in her discography.
Sit still, look pretty – Daya challenges societal standards and female empowerment while keeping listeners on their feet the entire time.
Don’t let me down – It’s difficult to think of a better song to start our list than the Chainsmokers’ sweeping 2016 smash “Don’t Let Me Down,” which highlighted Daya’s wide vocal range.
