Music Review: “It’s What You Want” by Danny Hamilton
- Bryon Harris
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
From the compilation album The Compassion Project: Songs for Animal, Human, and Earth Justice
Danny Hamilton’s “It’s What You Want” doesn’t ask for your attention — it grabs it. From the moment the track opens with muted acoustic downbeat strumming and a haunting, bluesy undertone, you know you’re in for something serious. There’s a cinematic eeriness here — like the prelude to a noir drama or a chilling mystery — with a backdrop carefully mixed to stir unease and urgency.
Then Danny hits you with the first lyric:“I see you picking at the carcass of another slave. Decapitated, inseminated runaway, her baby they keep him in a cage. I show you footage, but it wouldn't matter anyway. ”It’s a gut punch. The kind that makes you stop what you’re doing and listen.
Hamilton’s voice is raw and resolute — pitch perfect in tone and conviction. He delivers the story with the grounded confidence of someone who has lived these truths, blending the heart of Roots Rock with the soul of Blues and the edge of Alternative Country. His sound is unmistakably authentic, and in “It’s What You Want,” he uses it to speak for the victims of animal agriculture.
The song’s message is clear: the continuation of cruelty is not abstract — it’s a choice. Danny lays the blame not just on a broken system but on the people whose daily decisions keep it alive. Yet underneath the rage is a plea — a call to awaken, to change, to do better. What makes the track especially gripping is its consistency. The rhythmic strum never falters, the kick drum pulses with understated gravity, and Danny’s voice never loses its intensity. Like a march or protest, it moves forward with unwavering conviction until the very last note.
About Danny Hamilton Danny Hamilton is a rising force in Roots Rock, Blues Rock, and Alternative Country. A two-time Los Angeles Music Video Award winner and nominee for “Male Singer-Songwriter of the Year,” Danny’s discography spans poignant lyricism and undeniable grit. From his acclaimed album Here All Along to his upcoming 2025 release The Knocking, Hamilton’s music carries the weight of truth — delivered with edge, honesty, and purpose.
About the Project
The Compassion Project: Songs for Animal, Human, and Earth Justice is a bold, genre-spanning compilation album releasing September 5 via Artists & Activists Records. Each song explores interconnected issues of animal liberation, human rights, and environmental healing, with artists using their voices to challenge injustice and inspire empathy.
About the Label Artists & Activists Records, based in Austin, Texas, is a mission-driven label using music as a force for good. Supporting both established and emerging artists who champion compassion, the label curates work that uplifts the voiceless and amplifies urgent messages through powerful songwriting and authentic storytelling.