David Kushner Conveys an Emotional and Musical Paradox in "Daylight"


Two things will pleasantly surprise you when you discover TikTok sensation David Kushner. The first will be the depth of his voice, and the second will be the depth of his lyrics. The 23-year-old who rose to viral fame for his blend of music, comedy, and fitness videos is quickly being recognized for his talent in writing soulful, authentic music. Tasked with following his breakthrough EP Footprints | Found, Kushner steps up to the plate with the new single “Daylight,” delivering a powerful and profound musical paradox. 

“Daylight” begins with barebones piano and vocals, allowing Kushner's voice to immediately capture your attention. The song ultimately comes together as one grand crescendo, as vocal distortion, acoustic and electric guitars, and drums surge alongside one another. The song's composition underscores the impassioned lyrics, and as the final chorus explodes, mirroring a release of bottled-up emotions, we are left with a cathartic exhale, left reeling over everything that came before. It is a wellspring of sound and emotion that manages to leave us feeling both engulfed and freed in the same breath. 

 “With my song ‘Daylight,’ I aim to convey the paradoxical desire for something that is simultaneously harmful to oneself, using elements of light and darkness,” shares Kushner. “The lyrics ‘Oh I love it and I hate it at the same time you and I drink the poison from the same vine’ encapsulate this concept.”

Listening to a song and walking away feeling heavy and empowered is a thrilling feeling, and it is a feeling Kushner is continually getting better and better at capturing. “Daylight” is just as honest as it is beautiful, showcasing how talented and methodical Kushner is in his writing and why his music has resonated with such a massive audience in a short time. 

Watch the "Daylight" video below:


Related Articles

BOY SODA Dives Deeper Into SOULSTAR With His Deluxe Edition [Q&A]

BOY SODA Dives Deeper Into SOULSTAR With His Deluxe Edition [Q&A]

September 30, 2026 Fresh off some international travels, we were very blessed to have this soulful star in our studio to catch up on being deluxe, lifestyle and best venue size for a man of his talents:
Author: DJ Connor
pop
R&B
corook x Whale Songz On the Art Of Following The Fun [Q&A]

corook x Whale Songz On the Art Of Following The Fun [Q&A]

September 28, 2026 For our 11-year anniversary, we asked OnesToWatch alumni to nominate the next wave of artists on the rise. Beloved Pittsburgh singer-songwriter corook chose Whale Songz—the musical duo of Olivia Barton and Annika Bennett.
Author: Ariana Tibi
pop
Maria Fuell Is Bringing the Sounds of the Andes to a New Generation [Q&A]

Maria Fuell Is Bringing the Sounds of the Andes to a New Generation [Q&A]

September 28, 2026 OnesToWatch chatted with Fuell to talk about her music, her roots, and her accomplishments in her career thus far.
Author: Sarah Ruiz
pop