Dylan Gardner is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who has written over 100 songs. But on top of all of that, he is only 18 years old.

Gardner’s debut album, Adventures in Real Time, is a fun pop album that showcases this young artist’s talent. It’s evident that Gardner drew inspiration for his music from icons of the past, including The Beatles, but more contemporary influences can be heard on the album as well. For example, the first verse of Gardner’s single, “Too Afraid to Love You” sounds surprisingly reminiscent of Neon Trees, proving that he can put a new pop edge on retro sounds.

The first track of the album, “Let’s Get Started,” sets the pace for this fun, upbeat album and does a good job of showcasing Gardner’s natural talents. He writes about subjects that are easy for his listeners to connect with, such as the teenage feeling of invincibility and first love, but at the cost of occasionally sounding too naive when paired with unavoidably catchy tunes. He does redeem himself though in “The Actor,” an acoustic tune with the darkest themes on the album.

The second half of Adventures in Real Time is arguably better than the first. With the inclusion of horns, piano and more dramatic percussion, songs like “With a Kiss” and “Feeling of Love” were given greater depth and a unique flair that prevents them from sounding too similar to the rest of the album

At its worst, Adventures in Real Time sounds innocent enough to be the equivalent of a Disney Channel star’s music, but at it’s best it shows a great amount of potential from an extremely young artist. As he continues to mature, Gardner’s music will no doubt mature with him, but for the time being, this album is a strong start. He is a young artist who is just starting off his career, but he is definitely one to look out for because it’s just a matter of time before he writes the next big hit.

For more information on Gardner’s music, visit dylangardnermusic.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ZvVm2d5a8