Danish drummer Antonio Dayyani marks the release of his third full-length album – second with April Records – in the compelling ‘Organisme’.
A natural storyteller at heart – Dayyani treats each of his releases to date as wonderful opportunities to explore the idea of interconnected narratives across an over-arching theme. Still only in his mid-twenties, Dayyani’s commitment to these ideals are demonstrative of a maturity accrued from an incredibly young age. And it’s a maturity that ensures he pays the utmost respect for each opportunity to record and perform music making each release a definitive treasure.
Released in 2024, Dayyani’s ‘Trop Op’ proved to be an album that expressed its ideals towards the notion of communities – whether they be within small social circles or larger scale groups representative of where we live. Its noble sentiment ultimately sought to encourage listeners to value those connections with the people around us which, in today’s technology-driven day-to-day, can prove a particularly uphill challenge in itself.
‘Organisme’ seeks to build upon the groundwork as established by its predecessor by regarding the music itself as a living and breathing organism. Naturally, it’s the connections between the musicians that enable the music to exist in this way. The interplay between artists, collaboration born of a kinship that, while embracing the idea of personality-driven performances and individuality, its the acknowledgement and understanding that each individual component fits as an integral puzzle piece within the larger picture.
Backed by a selection of long-time friends and collaborators, Dayyani – on drums – is joined by guitarist Cahlo Heyman Krill, Magnus Munk Tækker on pedal steel guitar, Andrea Maagaard on piano, Harald Hagelskjær on upright bass and trumpeter Jon Askjær. An ensemble with long-standing connections that date back to Dayyani’s independently released ‘Herfra kan det kun gå to veje’ from 2022. While there is naturally a thrill to see Dayyani’score ensemble remain intact, it’s also exciting to see the line-up expanding where appropriate. ‘Alt og intet’, which was originally released in November 2025 as a standalone single, inducts into the fold Tue Lautrup on violin, Samira Dayyani on cello and Kristoffer Jessen who has the distinction of providing Dayyani’s first vocal collaboration.
While ‘Alt og intet’ makes for a brilliant and noteworthy inclusion to the album, we’d undeniably have to tip our hat to the sensational ‘Roots Removed, Replaced’ which may very well be the definitive scene-stealer here. A remarkable and rousing number accentuated blissfully by Andrea Maagaard on piano and Jon Askjær on trumpet.
‘Organisme’ is indicative of Antonio Dayyani’s ongoing explorations into the connections that bind us all together. There’s an inspired sense of purpose in how Dayyani approaches his music – the freedom afforded to his collaborators once again proves just as vital as the understanding that a shared vision is what ultimately brings each project to life.
