Daydream Review

Elijah Montez’s brand of psychedelic pop as Daydream Review is about the double-sided nature of anticipation and change. Montez cut his teeth in the live music capital of the world of Austin, Texas, but began Daydream Review in 2018 ahead of leaving his home to move to Chicago. As a result, his music is often about the conflicted feelings of nostalgia, longing, and excitement, and these themes can be heard above his walls of sound.


After releasing a few singles, including working with Paul Cherry for “Looking Glass,” Daydream Review released his retro-influenced self-titled EP through Cold Lunch Recordings (Rose Hotel, Heaven Honey) in late 2021. Meanwhile, the time spent at home during 2020 and 2021 gave Montez an opportunity to build lusher, more exploratory soundscapes, resulting in his most ambitious work yet, his full-length debut Leisure (Side Hustle, 2023).


As much as Daydream Review's songs are informed by outside changes, Leisure ultimately encourages changing one’s perspective in order to adapt to a changing world. That when reality doesn't match expectations, as Montez sings on the lead single "Have You Found What You're Looking For?", it's okay to change them.