Catch-Up Mini Song Reviews - 1st Quarter Edition Pt. 2

Jon Batiste - I Need You

Jon Batiste's January single somewhat was missed initially by me, and that is erroneous. A bit of old-school swing meets jazz is always good, especially when you add some strong rap, and a sax riff. This piano-driven track is a whole lot of toe-tapping fun, and thus enjoyable. I would have enjoyed more hooks, but with stuff like this, I am not really complaining too much.

Rating: 8.5/10

Barbara Pravi - Voila

France literally loves embracing everything French, don't they? Really surprised there was no Eifel Tower here, this song just screams France, and in a good way, too. Lyrically, about an artist's will to make good music, Voila is a snow-ball of a song, growing in tempo, energy, instruments, and emotion. It does not really fit the traditional description of a pop song, probably because it is not. It may have faded due to the extremely slow build, but Barbara Pravi provides a genuinely amazing vocal performance, ever-growing in every aspect.

Rating: 8.75/10

Fantastics - Play Back

Fantastics have recently abandoned their mid-tempo style for 80's pop. Play Back's drums are ripped straight from the '80s. In fact, the production here is really worth the whole ride. All the synths are a joy. If I had one wish, though, it is that the vocals were better mixed, and an octave or half lower. They are a little off-putting since they are high. Still, the overall melody is good enough to redeem this.

Rating: 8.75/10

Kim Jaehwan - I Wouldn't Look For You

Kim Jaehwan has jumped through a few styles since the disbandment of his group Wanna One. I Wouldn't Look For You is a Spanish guitar-driven Latin emotional pop song. If you followed the Western pop scene over the last few years, you certainly have heard a few similar songs. Thankfully, Jaehwan's voice emotes just well enough that it transcends its trendiness. I have come back to this way more than I initially expected.

Rating: 8.5/10

Image Source: The Bias List