‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’ illustrates how Dave transforms his anxiety into creativity. With rapid, dense, and clever lyricism, he invites you to accompany him into the darker aspects of your own reality.
**Content Warning:** assault, abuse, femicide
**‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’ – Dave**
David Orobosa Michael Omoregie, known professionally as Dave, has released one of the most impactful, culturally relevant, and politically charged albums of the year.
For those familiar with contemporary conscious lyricism or the emerging UK rap scene, this will come as no surprise. Dave’s previous albums, PSYCHODRAMA (2019) and We’re All Alone in This Together (2021), received considerable acclaim for their rich lyrical substance. By his third album, Dave had already established himself as a leading figure in self-produced UK rap.
Even for his most dedicated fans, the depth of struggle that Dave grapples with will astonish. Released on October 24, 2025, The Boy Who Played the Harp is set to be recognized as one of the decade's significant releases. Rather than trying to encapsulate its themes and content in words, it's best to listen and absorb Dave's thoughts, allowing the music to convey its message. Through his perspective, you will discover just how profound anxiety can be.
The Boy Who Played the Harp – Dave
The album's first half greets you with stellar collaborations, catchy choruses, impressive wordplay, and striking storytelling. From “History” to “Rain Dance,” there are many moments that invite you to sing along, dance, and nod your head. Many tracks feature Dave reflecting on his aspirations or striving for deeper connections with his family and faith. His desire for others' well-being is central to his music, and the optimism shines through. These initial songs showcase his lyricism, emphasizing personal growth. Enjoy these tracks during your listen. The lighter pieces will resonate on repeated listens, while the heavier ones only intensify as the album progresses.
The opening notes of “Selfish” signal a tonal shift in the latter half. Dave repeats:
“I tried this therapy shit”
This refrain runs through a series of confessions as he seeks reassurance amid his own anxieties. The forgiveness he longs for seems only attainable under the most sacred conditions: in a confessional booth, at a church pew, from cherished loved ones, or most challengingly, from within himself. Determining when that wave of relief will wash over us is impossible; yet, Dave wrestles with the question of when he and we will be liberated from our cultural transgressions.
The 8-minute centerpiece, “My 27th Birthday,” makes even the most secure individuals feel uneasy. Accompanied by a soft, repetitive hymn, Dave navigates through every hardship he's faced early in his career.
“But when I’m all alone I won’t lie I question myself”
Dave is isolated, sharing his troubles with anyone who will listen, yet it often falls on deaf ears as his first verse concludes:
This shit used to be spiritual
We don’t need no commentators,
we could leave that to sports
Just listen to the music,
why do you need somebody’s thoughts?
And some of it constructive,
but most of it is forced
And why we countin’ the numbers,
how the music make you feel?
Each bar on the album could address your favorite artist, any devoted fan, or the horde of online critics—I recognize the irony. It’s a meticulously crafted song brimming with more passion than a poetry slam at an arts college. For many, this might signify the pinnacle of an album or career. For Dave, it serves as a cautionary note to listeners about what remains in the project.
It's challenging to discuss The Boy Who Played the Harp without mentioning “Fairchild.” Similar to Adolescence, Dave sheds light on one of the most distressing issues of our times: the troubling ease with which men can inflict severe societal harm. The preceding thirty minutes feature Dave pleading for direction or a release from societal pressures. Buried beneath all that weight, the album’s penultimate track features a two-minute soliloquy from Nicole Blakk detailing an assault, the cultural dynamics that enable men to sexually harass women, and the lengths women must go to in order to simply exist. It's a haunting listen. The song lasts five minutes, yet it feels interminable; seconds stretch into minutes, and minutes into hours. By the time you reach the end, Dave courageously asks,
“Am I one of them?”
This question resonates; it reflects the burdens many young boys are taught they must address. To conclude the emotional peak, Dave lays down his ultimatum:
“Can’t sit on the fence,
that’s hardly an option.
You either part
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Dave’s ‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’ Challenges You to Confront Anxieties Both Inside and Outside of Yourself - Atwood Magazine