Danny Miles Returns with Bold, Unapologetic Single “Not Gonna Fit In”

Following his evolution as a creative force as drummer of JUNO Award-winning band July Talk, through to the release of his debut solo album Beautiful Music, and its reinvention as The Ruined Version, featuring collaborations with artists like Shad, Saukrates, Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene), Moka Only, and Aquakultre, Danny Miles has established himself as an eclectic, collaboration-focused musician who exists beyond traditional genres.

“Not Gonna Fit In” finds Miles crashing back on the scene with a wild, inventive, and unapologetically honest track that fuses alternative and experimental rap with fuzzed-out, live-band energy and fearless songwriting. The song pulses with creativity, blending chaotic elements into a focused, engaging experience that refuses to conform.

Riding a rumbling beat built from vinyl chops, distorted live drums, and even the sampled sound of a power drill, the track is a chaotic-yet-focused anthem that thumbs its nose at conformity — and revels in it. It’s loud. It’s unfiltered. It’s got cat meows buried in the mix. And somehow, it all works. Every element, no matter how unconventional, adds to the track’s energy and personality, creating a listening experience that is both unpredictable and cohesive.

Reflecting on the cultural context of the song, Miles explains:

“I was feeling that people were following a lot of trends. It’s always been the case, but I feel like we’ve lost some of our uniqueness. Everything is just kind of being gobbled up like fast food and then forgotten. I wanted to push against that, while still being real about people—their good and bad sides.”

This striking verse is a gritty commentary on the contradictions of human nature, with Miles blending venom and vulnerability in the same breath. The song also nods to the Beastie Boys with a subtle lyric flip: “Think I'm-a change up my style just to fit in.” These references, alongside Miles’ experimental instrumentation and genre-blurring approach, place the track at the intersection of past and present, reverence and rebellion.

“Not Gonna Fit In” marks a milestone for Miles — not just musically, but personally.

“This was the first song I made for this new direction. It’s also the first song I ever sang lead vocals on,” he shares. “I showed it to my friends Ben Rispin and Lee Reed—two people I really trust. They came over, I played it, and they immediately loved it. That was the start of something.”

The track, like the rest of Miles’ recent work, was built in a hip-hop tradition: constructed like sample-based beats, but mostly using live instruments that he performed and twisted to sound sampled. It’s a smart, hybridized sound — grimy and rowdy but intentional and musical. The attention to texture, dynamics, and sonic experimentation makes it clear that Miles is not merely following trends but redefining them on his own terms.

Regarding the creative process behind the collection, Miles adds:

“I didn’t overthink it. This whole collection of songs came out naturally. It’s honest, raw, and different—and that’s what I’m most proud of.”

With “Not Gonna Fit In,” Danny Miles solidifies his position as a fearless musical innovator. The track blends alternative rap, experimental production, and live instrumentation into a compelling and unpredictable sound that refuses to adhere to conventional norms. As he continues to push the boundaries of his artistry, Miles demonstrates a unique ability to merge chaos and control, rawness and musicality, in a way that is deeply personal and universally engaging.

This single represents not just a new phase for Miles as a solo artist, but a statement about authenticity, risk, and creative freedom. With bold instrumentation, genre-defying songwriting, and candid, introspective lyrics, “Not Gonna Fit In” signals that Danny Miles is unafraid to challenge expectations — and in doing so, reasserts himself as one of the most innovative and boundary-pushing musicians working today.