‘Daydreaming’ by Michael Lazar Is the Indie-Pop Escape You Need

Miami-based singer-songwriter and producer Michael Lazar returns with his most personal project to date, the Daydreaming EP, set for release on July 25, 2025. Across six tracks, the Michael Lazar Daydreaming EP blends nostalgic pop textures with cinematic flair, exploring themes of longing, healing, and romantic escapism. Known for his emotive storytelling and DIY approach, Lazar once again writes, performs, and produces every song himself, creating a cohesive body of work that feels both intimate and expansive. From retro ballads to atmospheric grooves, Daydreaming invites listeners into a soundscape where memory and imagination blur.

Inside the Daydreaming EP

The title song Daydreaming opens with a looping beat and soft synth layers that gradually give way to airy vocals, evoking a calm, almost weightless feeling. There's a subtle 80s influence in the harmonies, which feel more like a gentle invitation than a dramatic entrance. Magic Hour follows with the sound of birds in the background, leading into a melody that feels sun-soaked and reflective, lightly touched by the spirit of 70s and early 80s pop. Want Me Back brings a shift in tone, introducing a brighter, more electronic flow that feels alive without disrupting the mood Lazar has shaped. While each piece holds a distinct identity, the transitions remain fluid, letting the EP unfold like one continuous emotional thread rather than six disconnected entries.

What stands out across these opening moments is how measured everything feels. Lazar avoids crowding the mix or rushing through ideas. Instead, he lets each element breathe. The synths sit gently in the background, the vocals glide in with purpose, and the details arrive slowly without trying to impress. Rather than reaching for dramatic peaks, the songs stay grounded in feeling. There’s a kind of patience in how they evolve, as if Lazar is more interested in capturing a mood than chasing a climax.

The Softer Half: Covers, Ballads, and Letting Go

Lazar’s take on Can’t Help Falling in Love stays close to the heart of the original, but with a voice that feels entirely his own. There are no flashy moments or dramatic shifts. Instead, he sings with quiet control, allowing the softness in his tone to carry the feeling forward. The arrangement is minimal, but not empty. Each word lands with care, giving the classic a fresh sense of presence without changing its emotional weight.

The next song, By My Side, opens like a private moment. There’s a tenderness in the way the melody starts, almost as if it’s unfolding slowly in real time. As the track progresses, Lazar adds gentle layers in the background, including harmonies that recall the warmth of early soul recordings. The song doesn’t try to imitate a particular decade, but there’s something timeless in the way it holds onto a feeling and lets it stretch out.

Life of the Butterfly closes the project on a quieter note. The piano leads the way, soft and steady, while the vocals remain close and reflective. There’s no dramatic build, just a gradual settling into stillness. The song feels like a pause moment rather than a traditional ending. It invites the listener to sit with the emotions that remain, not to resolve them but to acknowledge they exist.

There’s a quiet honesty running through Daydreaming that holds everything together. Lazar isn’t trying to impress. He’s sharing what feels real in that moment, and that sincerity is what gives the project weight. The production is careful without sounding overdone. The lyrics stay grounded, never forced, but they still manage to stay with you. This is not a release begging for attention. It finds its place by being clear about what it is and where it stands.

You can listen to the EP below and follow Michael on Instagram here.