Wreckord Reviews: Don't fall behind this autumn
While there are a lot of exciting
releases coming up this October,
these singles represent the tail end
of the whirlwind that was September.
Whether you’re worried about
a world without One Direction or
if you’re intrigued by the unfolding
disaster that is The Weeknd, these
singles have it all.
“This Town” – Niall Horan
So I guess One Direction is over now, thank God. Niall Horan has officially joined the race to launch his solo career, following in the footsteps of Zayn Malik. Although Malik took an edgier tone to his music, Horan has taken an intimate and vulnerable folk approach to his first solo release. Partnering with Greg Kurstin, the producer behind Adele’s comeback track “Hello”, Horan’s storytelling lends well to the toned-down guitar and piano production. The lyrics might not be filled with Bob Dylan ingenuity, but for a pop production marketed at teens it’s actually quite palatable.
“Body Moves” – DNCE
Joe Jonas is undoubtedly fairing better than either Zayn Malik or Niall Horan in their post boy band careers. Although the lyrics of “Toothbursh” might have given listeners second-hand embarrassment, “Body Moves” is an acceptable redemption. Built on a strong and funky baseline and accompanied by Daft Punk inspired guitars, “Body Moves” sounds like something Maroon 5 might have written. While it might not be the most original song of 2016, “Body Moves” is a groovy track that helps perpetuate a summer vibe to fight the cold grip of October.
“All We Know” – The Chainsmokers
It’s nice to see an electronic group making waves with productions that break away from the arsenal of synthesizers to incorporate traditional instruments as well. “All We Know” is a mellow track led by a simple guitar riff throughout the verses reminiscent of their earlier 2016 hit “Don’t Let Me Down”. The biggest difference between the two tracks is that “All We Know” carries a certain stillness, which compliments the changing seasons and calmness of fall beautifully. The Chainsmokers have proven once again that electronic music can be catchy even if it isn’t jarring in-your-face pump-up jams.
“False Alarm” – The Weeknd
With the loss of his eccentric hair, The Weeknd has to rely on musical merit alone; and things don’t look good. “False Alarm” is the musical equivalent of his old hairdo: eclectic, messy and confusing. The track is jarring in the worst of ways and feels a lot like three or four tracks thrown together in a coke-fueled haze. The hook might have been catchy if it weren’t for the fact it’s being yelled at us with gratuitous use of “hey hey hey” vocal samples that bring absolutely nothing to the track. If the mellow to jumpy juxtaposition of the verses and choruses wasn’t unsettling enough, the track wraps up in an eerie and disjointed vocal clip. This leaves listeners with an extreme sense of unease and sour taste on the tongue. His previous single “Starboy” was at least listenable, but after fourteen plays of “False Alarm” I still can’t find anything good to say about it.
“This Town” – Niall Horan
So I guess One Direction is over now, thank God. Niall Horan has officially joined the race to launch his solo career, following in the footsteps of Zayn Malik. Although Malik took an edgier tone to his music, Horan has taken an intimate and vulnerable folk approach to his first solo release. Partnering with Greg Kurstin, the producer behind Adele’s comeback track “Hello”, Horan’s storytelling lends well to the toned-down guitar and piano production. The lyrics might not be filled with Bob Dylan ingenuity, but for a pop production marketed at teens it’s actually quite palatable.
“Body Moves” – DNCE
Joe Jonas is undoubtedly fairing better than either Zayn Malik or Niall Horan in their post boy band careers. Although the lyrics of “Toothbursh” might have given listeners second-hand embarrassment, “Body Moves” is an acceptable redemption. Built on a strong and funky baseline and accompanied by Daft Punk inspired guitars, “Body Moves” sounds like something Maroon 5 might have written. While it might not be the most original song of 2016, “Body Moves” is a groovy track that helps perpetuate a summer vibe to fight the cold grip of October.
“All We Know” – The Chainsmokers
It’s nice to see an electronic group making waves with productions that break away from the arsenal of synthesizers to incorporate traditional instruments as well. “All We Know” is a mellow track led by a simple guitar riff throughout the verses reminiscent of their earlier 2016 hit “Don’t Let Me Down”. The biggest difference between the two tracks is that “All We Know” carries a certain stillness, which compliments the changing seasons and calmness of fall beautifully. The Chainsmokers have proven once again that electronic music can be catchy even if it isn’t jarring in-your-face pump-up jams.
“False Alarm” – The Weeknd
With the loss of his eccentric hair, The Weeknd has to rely on musical merit alone; and things don’t look good. “False Alarm” is the musical equivalent of his old hairdo: eclectic, messy and confusing. The track is jarring in the worst of ways and feels a lot like three or four tracks thrown together in a coke-fueled haze. The hook might have been catchy if it weren’t for the fact it’s being yelled at us with gratuitous use of “hey hey hey” vocal samples that bring absolutely nothing to the track. If the mellow to jumpy juxtaposition of the verses and choruses wasn’t unsettling enough, the track wraps up in an eerie and disjointed vocal clip. This leaves listeners with an extreme sense of unease and sour taste on the tongue. His previous single “Starboy” was at least listenable, but after fourteen plays of “False Alarm” I still can’t find anything good to say about it.
