“Both lyrically and musically, her earthy invigoration and empowerment both challenge and satisfy the expectations of herself and the listener; this is a work of art. Every note and whisper comes together perfectly to knit a spectrum of emotional facets.”

“Electronic, dramatic, and intimate Subdvision is a beautiful little record that's as haunting as it is stirring and as lush as it is complicated. With piano, rattling percussion. lush synths and her soaring and striking voice Subdivision is an emotional and melodramatic experience. The way Daena uses her voice and lets it seep between the percussion gives her songs this minimalist feel despite the whole thing being rather overwhelming emotionally.”

“The whimsical folk pixie Daena Jay, layers melancholy poetry over a mournfully plucked six-string.”

“Originally from Cape Town, chanteuse Daena Jay now calls Costa Mesa her home. A veteran of L.A.’s singer/songwriter circuit, she recently released her sophomore EP SUBDIVISION (Catbeach Music). The songs are laced through deep soul and heavy pop, but it’s her epic voice that truly gives them power.”

““...The album is made up with bold compositions and straight-forward lyrics mostly about inner strength and her longing for love. What's not to like?””

“Emmy-nominated songwriter and singer Daena Jay released “Subdivision” last month. The pearl of that EP is “I Will.” It starts with booming percussion with a solid beat, jingles and other mysterious background noises. When paired with her beautiful voice and the repetition of her words, the track becomes an anthem for courage.”

“Chances are you missed the debut EP from singer/songwriter Daena Jay — it slipped under my radar, that’s for sure — but here’s a chance to remedy that. The Los Angeles resident (and native South African) positively shines on sophomore release “Subdivision.” With a sultry voice and first-rate writing chops, Jay has crafted a five-track EP that merits your attention. There isn’t a bad song to be found here, with Jay shining brightest on “I Will,” “I’m No Good,” “What You Always Wanted” and “Heart Beat Ready.” Keep an eye on this rising star.”

“Singer-songwriter Daena Jay recently released her sophomore EP, "Subdivision," on CatBeach Music, and it finds her taking a much more aggressive stance than on previous songs—though that aggressiveness doesn't necessarily translate to sounding louder. On "Subdivision," she has created songs that feel and sound bolder than anything she's done before, with songs more focused on beat-centric rhythms and deceptively simple vocal melodies. With single "This Love," Jay and her bandmates seem to latch onto the world around them and their place in it. This is a marked departure for them, as her previous EP, "When The Bough Breaks," felt far more introspective and inwardly focused. On this track, ringlets of acoustic and electric guitar encircle her soulful voice—a voice that can express years of experience without becoming bogged down in memory. "This Love" weaves a lovingly crafted ear-tugging melody that ensnares you and just won't let go, not that you'd really want it to.”

““Emmy-nominated LA alt-pop singer/songwriter Daena Jay follows up her 2012 debut EP When The Bough Breaks with Subdivision (March 18), a five song collection that offers a subtle shift from Bough's contemplative folk/pop etchings to bolder, more colorful musical canvas. Lead single "I Will" backs up its aspiring lyrical message with an equally solid instrumental stance as the song's slow marching beat builds one line at a time, Jay's smoky vocals stepping into the spotlight with confidence and verve. Think of the South-African born songstress as Regina Spektor's moody cousin.””

“...the whimsical folk pixie, Daena Jay, layers melancholy poetry over a mournfully plucked six-string.”

"Classic, emotive, and moody in all the right ways. Production and arrangement wise, it reminded me a bit of Greg Laswell's albums, in that it sounded modern, and interesting but kept the vocals and lyrics in focus."