Didn't Go Through by Dom Vallie

Toronto Music Archive

Dom Vallie's new single "Didn't Go Through" is a powerful track. Everything about it screams quality and purpose: the message, the delivery, everything. I appreciate music that serves a purpose while also being sonically enjoyable. Dom has been creating incredible music for quite some time. His discography stretches back to 2017. I especially like the line about the label wasting his time. This is because I and the artists I work with have experienced the same problem. It's simply ingrained in the music industry's culture. The lies and deception displayed by some labels are disgusting. They truly make the artist feel like they are the best and most valuable thing in the world to get into their head. It's sickening to see how many artists are exploited. Getting a percentage of an artist's earnings is obvious, but slave labour is insane. But Dom isn't just talking about the labels; he's also talking about the money and how he hasn't yet gotten to the real bag. This rings true for many of the city's creatives. Photographers, artists, and producers. It’s either you work in the underground and tax for your services or just grind your way at the top until you get a deal from an investor or a major placement with a huge advance. There is so many ways about it but I love how transparent Dom is.  I believe this plays a significant role in his success because people can relate to the message. Even if they can't relate, they can appreciate the straight forwardness and real-life situations. Dom has mastered his cadence, his voice and delivery are all flawless here. I love the tone and energy in his lyrics, and his delivery is extremely powerful. The instrumental and beat selection is fantastic, and the power in the beat really helps keep the song's backbone high energy. All of this is topped off with a fantastic cover art featuring a contract and blood splatter as a signature. Great metaphor and overall art piece. I’m excited to see where Dom goes next. I feel like we need another project or a massive collab.

Written by Maxim Bayarsky