Review of Priceless by Dino James
Released: May 08, 2025 | Label: Swaraj Records | 10 Tracks
Before Priceless even begins, Dino James sets the tone in the most unassuming yet powerful way, with a needle and thread.
In a pre-release promo, we witness a stripped-down moment where Dino sits with just an acoustic guitar, rapping and singing without any production layers to hide behind. It’s raw, honest, and grounded in emotion.
Beside him, his mother quietly hand-stitches the album artwork, carefully crafting a ring of red and yellow flowers around the word Priceless. It’s not just a visual element, but a reflection of everything this album represents — love, care, and intention.
With Priceless, Dino leans fully into what has always defined his music, honest storytelling shaped by vulnerability and lived experience.
The courage to say things most people keep buried. He’s not chasing trends or trying to fit into a sound. He’s choosing to honour his path, exactly as it is, with all its scars and lessons.
For us, this isn’t a rap album built around punchlines, but a quiet act of healing where Dino is stitching together his truth, one track at a time.
Track by Track Breakdown
1) Still Here ft. Katya Krishnan (Prod. by Bluish Music)
The opening track sets the tone with a grand, gospel-inspired sound that immediately commands attention. It reminded me of 3:59 AM from Divine’s Punya Paap — not just in its sonic scale, but in how it feels like a personal declaration.
This isn’t just an intro. It’s a celebration of survival, a tribute to every victory and every hardship that’s shaped Dino’s journey, both as an artist and a human being.
His writing here is sharp and intentional, filled with conviction.
If you’re someone looking for motivation to keep pushing forward, this one deserves a permanent spot on your playlist. As far as album openers go, Still Here hits the mark — lyrically, emotionally, and musically.
2) Hope (Prod. by Bluish Music)
The second track is primarily an English song that shows us a different side of Dino. It has a very pop-ish feel, and Dino does a decent job exploring this sound.
That’s something I really like about this album — through this project, Dino proves he’s not just a rapper but he’s a musician.
The beats across the album are musically brilliant, and Hope is a clear example of that. These aren’t just your typical rapity-rap songs. These are thoughtfully composed pieces of music.
While this might not be the strongest track in terms of delivery, it still highlights Dino’s talent as a composer and his willingness to step outside his comfort zone.
3) Mama Told Me ft. Earl Fortes (Prod. by Xplicit)
This track easily has one of the best hooks on the album, delivered beautifully by Earl Fortes — a Goan musician who gained recognition through American Idol in 2020. His voice adds soul and texture, elevating the entire song to another level.
Dino’s writing is on point here. His flow and delivery are sharp, and the energy he brings complements the hook perfectly. The production is fire, and the use of saxophone gives it a unique, jazzy edge that really stands out.
The second verse from Dino is especially vibey — smooth, confident, and replay-worthy. This one’s definitely going to be on loop for us.
4) Thanks A Lot 2 (Prod. by Bluish Music)
This track is all about gratitude. Another strong instrumental, driven by subtle vocal layers that add a deep emotional texture to the song. Bluish Music really shines here — the attention to detail in the production is part of what makes this entire album feel so musically rich.
If you haven’t heard Dino’s 2017 track Thanks A Lot, it’s still one of my personal favourites from his discography. So when I saw a sequel on the track-list, I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical. But aside from the shared theme of gratitude, the two tracks are quite different — both lyrically and musically.
And that’s the beauty of it. Both songs stand on their own, exactly as they should. Thanks A Lot 2 reflects Dino’s evolution, not just as an artist, but as a person.
5) Sorry (Prod. by Bluish Music)
Sorry feels like a letdown compared to the rest of the album. It lacks the captivating energy that many of the other tracks carry, and there’s a certain monotony in the delivery that makes it feel a bit too familiar — like something you’ve heard before.
The production itself is still solid, as expected from Bluish Music, but the vocals and overall execution don’t quite elevate the track. For us, this one ends up being a skip. It falls short of the emotional or musical impact the rest of the album offers.
6) Voices ft. Katya Krishnan (Prod. by Aakash)
This is where Katya Krishnan’s vocals truly shine, far more prominently than on the opening track. Her voice brings a haunting yet melodic atmosphere to the song, setting a deeply emotional tone from the start.
What really makes Voices stand out is the contrast between Katya’s ethereal vocals and Dino’s grounded, intense delivery. That contrast isn’t jarring but it’s powerful. It creates a dynamic push and pull that adds to the emotional weight of the track.
The writing is sharp and introspective, capturing the essence of self-doubt in a way that feels both vulnerable and relatable. This one lingers long after it ends.
7) Leap of Faith (Prod. by Xplicit)
This track feels like a natural continuation of Voices. Where the previous song wrestled with self-doubt, Leap of Faith picks up the thread and shifts the focus toward moving forward — taking that uncertain step despite the fear.
It captures the mindset of anyone chasing a passion or committing to a big, ambitious goal. If you’ve ever been on that path, or are on it right now, this one will hit home.
The production stands out once again. The guitar layers bring in a motivational, almost cinematic energy, while the keyboards add emotional depth without overpowering the message.
8) Azaad (Prod. by Bluish Music)
Another standout track musically, with Bluish once again delivering a rich and layered production. Azaad feels like a commentary on the illusion of freedom — the idea that real freedom only begins when we decide to claim it for ourselves.
Dino’s delivery here is arguably the strongest on the album. There’s a raw emotional intensity in how he performs this track that keeps you fully engaged from start to finish.
It’s also one of those songs that grows on you with every listen — the more you sit with it, the more it reveals.
9) Priceless (Prod. by Amzay & Bluish Music)
The hook on this one really stands out — a smart creative choice, especially over a beat that leans into drill but still carries a reflective tone. It’s a unique blend that works surprisingly well.
The track explores how life holds far more value than money — a truth that often hits only after you’ve achieved material success. It’s a theme that ties in beautifully with the emotional core of the album.
As the title track, it sits well near the end of the project. It doesn’t just summarise the message, it reinforces it. A solid addition that fits both sonically and thematically with the album’s overall journey.
10) Heal ft. Norah Alva (Prod. by Bluish Music)
Heal is a reflective and emotionally rich track about keeping the child within you alive, while also learning to heal from everything life has thrown your way. It’s easily the most musically layered and grand track on the album, with powerful chorus vocals and a rich arrangement that builds beautifully throughout.
As the final song, it brings the entire project full circle. While the rest of the album explores various emotions — self-doubt, ambition, gratitude, pain — Heal ties it all together. It’s not a conclusion, but a pause. A moment where Dino admits that the journey is still ongoing, and healing is still happening.
It’s a fitting end to an album that wears its heart on its sleeve.
Closing Thoughts
Priceless isn’t just a collection of songs. It’s a deeply personal statement — one that blends vulnerability, introspection, and musical exploration with remarkable intent.
Dino James has always been known for his honesty. With this album, though, he takes it a step further — not just sharing emotions, but composing experiences.
Across ten tracks, Dino opens himself up like never before — reflecting on his struggles, questioning freedom, confronting doubt, and most importantly, choosing to heal.
What makes this project even more compelling is the way it reveals a new side of Dino. He’s no longer confined to the label of just a rapper. With Priceless, he proves that he’s a complete musician, someone capable of crafting full-bodied songs, not just spitting bars.
And none of this would be possible without the incredible producers behind the scenes. From Bluish Music’s lush soundscapes to Xplicit and Aakash’s subtle brilliance, each beat carries weight, emotion, and depth.
The production isn’t just backing but it’s storytelling in itself.
At its core, Priceless is about growth. As an artist. As a person. It reminds us that healing isn’t linear, that freedom is something we define for ourselves, and that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is speak your truth — softly, but with your whole heart.
This isn’t a project you just hear. It’s one you feel.
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