Dayglow — Self‑Esteem: A Sunny Journey Through Inner Confidence

Dayglow’s Self‑Esteem, the standout track from his newly released deluxe edition Superbloom, feels like a warm hug wrapped in jangly guitar and shimmering synths. Sloan Struble, the creative force behind the indie-pop project, has always had a knack for turning bright, upbeat melodies into thoughtful reflections on self-discovery.

This one, in particular, explores the uneasy peace we reach when looking in the mirror—and learning to like who we see.

From its first tambourine tap, Self‑Esteem feels effortlessly buoyant. It blends light guitars and airy synths, crafting an aural atmosphere that’s just upbeat enough to dance to, but anchored in introspection. As Melody.fm recently noted, the song “delve[s] into a seemingly endless journey of self‑discovery, accompanied by the indecisiveness that comes with it”. That tension—between musical warmth and lyrical caution—is what turns a catchy indie tune into something that lingers.

Reddit fans are already ringing in their praise. Over on r/DayglowMusic, one fan celebrated seeing Dayglow perform it live at MIT: “Come join us as we marvel at the wonderful talents of our very own Sloan Struble”. On Album of the Year, listeners have given Self‑Esteem a strong average score of 85, commending both its melody and emotional honesty.

In just under four minutes, Struble captures a paradox: Self‑Esteem is joyful yet uncertain, upbeat yet vulnerable. That mix is what makes this song a highlight of Superbloom, itself described as “a joyful junk‑drawer of delightful summer sounds”. Each sonic flourish echoes the song’s message: building confidence isn’t linear, but it’s worth celebrating at every step.

Compared to earlier Dayglow singles—like the nostalgic “Cocoon” or the whimsical “Mindless Creatures”—this track stands out for its emotional clarity. It doesn’t hide behind irony or layered metaphors. Instead, it offers a direct, affectionate glance inward, saying, “Hey, I see you. You’re worth it.” It’s a musical check-in: a reminder that sometimes the hardest project is feeling okay with ourselves.

Verdict: Self‑Esteem is vintage Dayglow: upbeat indie-pop with real emotional weight. It scores a 9/10 for combining catchy instrumentation with lyrics that feel both human and heartfelt. It’s a track you’ll find yourself singing along to—and then thinking about long after it ends.

Listen now on your favorite streaming service—and if it helped you today, drop a comment. Next, we’ll cover Jutes: Limerance—stay tuned.