DASHA - Didn't I - Warner Music Nashville

While her debut EP, 21st Birthday, had certainly started to earn intrigue back in 2021, when “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” smashed into viral sensation territory, Dasha lifted into the high distinction of country riser to watch.

Following a year since that’s now included signing a major record deal, several Billboard chart achievements, and a Grand Ole Opry debut, the Warner Music Nashville starlet has become the buzzed about talk of the industry with her styled balance of additively catchy, ultra-infectious pop laden country.

With “Didn’t I,” her first release since her very well-received What Happens Now?, Dasha continues to hone in on her uniquely branded sound and deliver a cleverly written, all too relatable song that traces her inabilities to stop herself from falling back into the toxic emotions of a night time fling with an ex that she swore she was done with.

“‘Didn’t I’ is so nostalgic, there’s something about my past that intrigues me, including the men. In the writer’s room, I was referring to a time months and months ago when I was backsliding into the guy that ‘Austin’ is about. It’s admitting like, ‘oops here I am again, my bad’ but I love how we made it lighthearted and fun,” says Dasha.

Over a banjo plucked melody in the opening chorus that kicks off the song, Dasha opens a series of confused internal questions that have left her reeling juxtaposition of when she convinced herself it was over with him while pondering the current moment of finding herself right back here with him again with his lips on hers.

“Didn't I swear you were dead to me?

Didn't you scream that I had to leave?

Didn't I slam your damn front door

Sayin', "I ain't never gonna come back no more"?

Didn't you drag my name through town?

Didn't we take all the pictures down?

So why am I here with your lips on mine?

I coulda sworn I said this was over, didn't I?”

Surrounded in its Que Sera, Sera melodic feel, she expertly utilizes the verses to paint the next morning bedroom scene with her jeans on his floor and her lipstick on his pillowcase, walking within the state of conflicted emotions after backsliding into each other again while lamenting that they can’t stop setting everything on fire that they had said about it being over while wondering, “When we gonna really mean it?”

With a breakout smash already placing all eyes on her next move, Dasha masterfully delivers a song that instantly connects with so many who battle the on again/off again emotions, expertly surrounding it in a rhythmic stance that keeps you listening, singing along, and shrugging your shoulders in acceptance of the c6ontinual mistake you make of going back when you said it was over.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)