From Wichita, Kansas, to the world stage, Dax has been steadily carving his place as one of the most authentic storytellers of his generation. With his latest single, “Man I Used To Be” (released August 1st, 2025), Dax doesn’t just deliver a song but a testimony. This is not just music; it’s a chapter of his life, etched in lyrics and melody, born out of sobriety, reflection, and the courage to start anew.
“Man I Used To Be” opens with a gentle acoustic guitar, setting a mood that carries the warmth and charm of country roots. There’s something vulnerable about those first strums—like the quiet before confession. Then, as the hi-hats and kicks roll in, Dax’s voice cuts through, raw and unflinching: “I’m half the man I used to be. It’s gon’ take some gettin’ used to me.” This is a grounded and cinematic entrance, I mean the kind of opening that grips you and won’t let go.
Blending the grit of country instrumentation with the rhythm and cadence of rap, the production strikes a balance that mirrors Dax’s duality; part storyteller and part confessor. The acoustic guitar remains a steady heartbeat throughout, while crisp percussion drives the verses forward. Just when the weight of the lyrics settles deepest, an electric guitar solo bursts through, bending and wailing with intensity. It doesn’t just decorate the song; it feels like the breaking open of a soul, the release of old chains.
Dax’s performance here is nothing short of commanding. His delivery is sharp yet heartfelt, his vocals textured with pain, wisdom, and a newfound sense of peace. Lines like “Trials and tribulations, all my past trauma. Generational curses from daddy and mama” spill out with poetic clarity, while his refrain, “Don’t ask the reason I changed, ask yourself why you stayed the same” hits with a conviction that lingers long after the song ends.
More than anything, “Man I Used To Be” is about growth, about leaving behind the broken pieces of who we once were. The authenticity is undeniable. You can hear it in the pauses between words, in the strength of the chorus, and in the way Dax holds nothing back.
As he prepares to take his “Lonely Dirt Road Tour” this October, he arrives at this moment not just as an artist, but as a man reborn. He’s weathered storms, faced his demons, and now stands taller, lighter, and more truthful than ever. His motto, “Music for the people, spread by the people” feels less like a slogan and more like a promise. Overall, “Man I Used To Be” is not only a song worth listening to; it’s a song worth carrying with you.
Listen to “Man I Used To Be” by Dax on Spotify or SoundCloud
You can follow Dax here for more information.
