ZAYN's debut solo album "Mind of Mine" was released on March 25, 2016, exactly one year to the day he left One Direction. It was the first solo album from any 1D member, and it announced his arrival in a big way: debuting at #1 in both the UK and US, making him the first British male solo artist to achieve that with a debut album.
Primarily an alt-R&B record, "Mind of Mine" blends elements of soul, funk, electronic, hip hop, and even Qawwali - a far cry from the polished pop of One Direction. The album features singles "PILLOWTALK," "LIKE I WOULD," and "wRoNg" (feat. Kehlani), and includes the Urdu-language interlude "INTERMISSION: fLoWeR," a nod to ZAYN's British-Pakistani heritage.
In this episode, Chris, Chantel Nicole and guest Emily Haydel go track by track through "Mind of Mine" for the very first time, breaking down the production, vocals, lyrics, and visuals for each song. Was this a genuine artistic statement or just a rebrand? Does it hold up a decade later? Join us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/CCTVPOPSFollow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cctvpopsFollow Emily Haydel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emihayyy Go check out Vizzcast in NYC for your podcasting, broadcast and content creation needs! Book at https://vizzcast.com
- 0:00 - Intro
- 2:12 - "Mind of Mine" Album Info
- 3:55 - Album Cover
- 4:41 - "MiNd Of MiNdd (Intro)"
- 7:39 - "PILLOWTALK"
- 14:53 - "iT's YoU"
- 20:46 - "BeFoUr"
- 27:28 - "sHe"
- 31:39 - "dRuNk"
- 35:36 - "INTERMISSION: fLoWer"
- 39:51 - "rEaR vIeW"
- 43:44 - "wRoNg" feat. Kehlani
- 49:42 - "fOoL fOr YoU"
- 56:39 - "BoRdErSz"
- 1:01:28 - "tRuTh"
- 1:04:18 - "lUcOzAdE"
- 1:08:42 - "TiO"
- 1:12:50 - "BLUE"
- 1:18:37 - "BRIGHT"
- 1:21:21 - "LIKE I WOULD"
- 1:25:01 - "SHE DON'T LOVE ME"
- 1:28:10 - Cut or Keep
- 1:30:20 - Overall Thoughts & Final Rating
References:
- “PILLOWTALK” MV https://youtu.be/C_3d6GntKbk?si=zKxiI0DbN3esM30V
- “iT’s YoU” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1seDBXvGYcc&pp=ygUNemF5biBpdCdzIHlvdQ%3D%3D
- “BeFoUr” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EaPxw5exts&pp=ygULemF5biBiZWZvdXLSBwkJxQoBhyohjO8%3D
- “LIKE I WOULD” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTaqcGz2O5o&pp=ygURemF5biBsaWtlIGkgd291bGQ%3D
00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 It's a paradise and it's a wazom. Like it's a terrible intro.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:36 This is CCTV, the nonstop pop show where we provide our unfiltered, honest opinions on global pop music. And we've been diving into One Direction's discography and have done three of their albums so far, as well as Niall's debut album. But now it's time to get into another member's solo material, Zayn. And of course, we have a very special guest with us today. We have sports and entertainment specialist, Emily Hadle. Hello. Hi, Del. Nice to have you guys here. I'm so excited to...
00:00:36 --> 00:00:57 To be here, I feel like I've, I, when you asked me to be a guest, I was like, holy fuck, like, I listen to you guys all the time. And I like respect your like, musical opinion. So like, when you asked me to be a part of it, I was like, I don't know if I can, you know, hold my own, but I'm excited to be here. You're gonna be great. Yes. So you are a directioner. Yes. What's your history? And what's your thoughts on Zane?
00:00:57 --> 00:01:25 So yeah, I am a directioner. I would like to say I was one of the early ones. I, in 2011, was in like Europe and I saw them on a show and like this was when The Wanted was also coming. It was like just when they were both coming on the scene. But I would say I led or was part of leading a campaign of bringing One Direction to Atlanta. They had like a little contest to like,
00:01:25 --> 00:01:41 see which fans are like the loudest so that they would like come to Chicago or Atlanta or New York, LA, obviously like New York and LA one, I think that was by design. But yeah, I made a video where I rapped to different like current rap songs at the time in 2011. So it was like, Oh,
00:01:41 --> 00:01:59 um, fancy, teach me how to Dougie, um, mindless behavior. If you guys remember, um, great. And then like, welcome to Atlanta. Um, but I like made it one direction vibes. Um, we did not win, but people remember me for that. That's fire. That's fire. Is it still online? Yeah.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:17 Yeah, you can go find it. All right, everyone. Yeah. Go find that. You should. Yeah. What? I'm like, should I delete this? And I'm like, no, I'm actually pretty proud of it. So. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Nice. That digital footprint is real. Yeah, it is. It is. Yeah. All right. Let's get into the album. Ooh, yes. So release exactly one year after he left One Direction.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:37 Mine of Mine is Zayn's debut album released March 25th, 2016. And the album marked a major shift away from the shiny pop of One Direction, leaning heavily into R&B and alternative R&B. And the album's title reflects its concept, a cohesive, introspective body of work meant to feel like a stream of thoughts coming directly from Zayn's mind.
00:02:37 --> 00:03:05 And Zayn decided to use an alternating capitalization for all the song titles, noting that that's how he used to write words in school. And there is a running joke in the fandom that Zayn had to record his vocals with a condom over his mic. What? Yep. Very smexy vocals. Smexy man. Oh. Okay. I thought they were serious at first. Okay. But I'm pretty sure it's a joke. Okay. Maybe it's not a joke. I don't know. But why that's such a like specific, like what? A condom over the mic? Because it's like a so, he might get it pregnant. Yeah.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:21 Oh, got it. Oh, got it. Okay, okay. And the fandom name is Zquad. Like squad. Z squad. No way. I didn't know that. I looked it up. Someone said it's Zquad. What? But Google AMI be wrong. Yeah. You know.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:37 You know guys? You let us know in the comments. Phonetically speaking, tell us. So let's get into it. We're going to dive into the production, vocals, visuals, and performances of each song and then drop our individual ratings. But beware, viewer discretion is advised. Your fave will be criticized.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:53 Seeing that in person is so crazy. Wait, that was so cool. Sorry. I was like, oh my god. Thank you. I don't hate it. It's our thing. It's our thing. I literally started to mouth it. I was like, holy fuck. Anyway, okay. Welcome. I'm so happy to have you here. Yes. Yeah.
00:03:53 --> 00:04:09 Okay, before we get into the album, let's talk about this album cover where he's a child with all the tattoos. Yes, the Carter. So he did say this represents the idea that the person he was as a child is still inside of him. Do we like this album cover?
00:04:10 --> 00:04:38 Yes. I don't dislike it. Yeah. I think it's cute. I love baby pictures. I just thought about the Carter, you know, like Lil Wayne. It's not that. I thought Lil Wayne, though. That's legit what I thought. I feel like of all the debut albums, like that one, when I think of, like, I think of Harry's back, like, in that one, but I think of this one. Like, I can't immediately call to mind, like, what Liam or, like, Niles looked like, you know? Yeah. But this one I can. Yeah. Yeah. It's definitely memorable. No, for sure. It's so cute little...
00:04:38 --> 00:04:56 Yeah. Yeah. So cute. Okay, let's get into the first track. It is Mind of Mind with two Ds. The intro. This was done by Zane, George Astacio, Jason Pedworth, John Shave, Alex Oriot, and David Phelan. Phelan? Phelan. Sorry.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:23 Emily, what do you think of the intro? I feel like it was a classic intro that you get on a lot of albums that have intros or interludes or intermissions like he has. I felt like we were stepping into his mind. It was just like priming us for it is what it felt like. Yeah. Totally. I feel the priming. That's the right word for it. It was giving like a offensive
00:05:23 --> 00:05:47 The echoeyness of it all. Yeah. Okay. Real talk. If you can, if you're one of the people who can like hear your thoughts, because some people can't hear their own thoughts. I don't know what it's called, but there's a thing. You can't hear your own thoughts. An aphantasia, you can't see your own thoughts. Like you can't see a picture. If I say red dot, you see the red dot. Right. Some people can't do that. Right. So my thing is like, I don't ever think of echoey when I think of my own thoughts. Like when I think like right now, take a second. Is it echoing?
00:05:48 --> 00:06:14 No, right? So I love how everyone has created this concept of your mind being this echoist kind of place where there's nothing to bounce off the sound, you know? So I think I like that. It just feels more like a dreamscape, if anything, for me. Yes. Because I feel like a part of him is a little bit out of touch with reality. In a sense. Okay. Like, not that he's, like, all fantastical and whimsical, but because he...
00:06:14 --> 00:06:32 knowing what we know about him now and what he was dealing with, maybe a little bit out of touch with what's actually happening in front of him. It might be anticipating things going wrong and, or things not being right or like not being satisfied and living in the present. So I think I liked that a lot. And instead of like, you know, floating in limbo in this dream space, we're getting like a hot half Pakistani Prince telling us,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:48 Welcome to my mind. And I'm here for that. It's simple enough as an intro. Yes. For sure, though. I do appreciate that. It's like, this is what you're getting. This is my thoughts. It's a little troublesome. It's a little bit like passionate, but here is me. You know, no gleam of One Direction. No. Right. Right.
00:06:48 --> 00:07:18 It was definitely giving like the beginning of a concert when all the dry ice comes and he's like emerging out of it. I mean, I don't see him ever actually doing that. Right. But that's the visual that I get, like him emerging out of a giant cloud of dry ice. But yeah, I think the melody is interesting too. It's like kind of conversational. It's kind of a weird cadence. So it feels kind of like a stream of consciousness, which a lot of these songs are. Like it doesn't feel totally planned, which I like. So yeah, I think it sets the tone well. It does. Solid. Yeah. So what do you rate it as an intro? Oh.
00:07:19 --> 00:07:37 We've had some bad interests. Yeah, we have. I'll give it like an 8 in terms of conceptualizing and setting it up. I'll give it an 8. Okay. I'd say 8 also. Okay, I'll go 8.5. I like the fog. He's a creative director in the alternate universe.
00:07:37 --> 00:08:04 All right, so let's hop into the actual tracks. The first track is Pillow Talk, and it was done by Levi Lennox, Michael Hanides, and Anthony Hanides, and Zayn. And this was Zayn's debut single release in February 2016, and it debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. And in interviews about the track, Zayn noted that the song isn't just about smexy time, it's about the up and down of relationships.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:08 So we'll be something Davis.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:36 Yes, so this song brings back a lot of memories for me. I was working at RCA at the time and this was the first big release that I kind of was a part of. I was doing distribution at the time so I remember I had to run around with a thumb drive of the track. Like they would not let us load it onto the computer so if any exec wanted to hear it, I literally had to run around with a thumb drive of the track and we had a water market. It was like a whole thing.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:57 And everyone was like, this is your first big job. Are you ready for this? Anyway, I have a lot of memories of this track because of that. But as a song, I think it's really cool. You know, it's sexy. I think it does the sexy electro R&B thing well. I like the echoey synths. I like the heavy bass drum. And the way it builds is nice too. And there are some organic instruments here too.
00:08:57 --> 00:09:16 So I think as a track, it's very cool. And it makes a great statement as his first song outside of One Direction. I mean, he talked a lot about feeling like he couldn't say what he really wanted to say. So, you know, now we get a swear word. Now we get very explicit lyrics. Yeah. Yeah.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:31 Yeah. Yeah. What do you think of the track? I love this song so much. When you first reached out to me to do this, I told you I was like Pillow Talks, the only song. I mean, I knew it's you and a couple of others, but this song, I will always...
00:09:31 --> 00:10:00 listen to the song and have it in rotation. I feel like, like you described it well, it's like, I feel like there's, it's very intense and it goes in and out of this like warped, like muffled sound into like, and it gets clear and then it goes back. And then like the, the, like the part before, I guess you would call it the bridge, like towards the end. Oh yeah. Like, um, where there's just, he's not singing. It's just like this little interlude part, my favorite fucking part of the song. And I feel like, um, I don't know. It's, it was a great title track.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:27 obviously um and besides like harry's like sound of the times this is like the one like one direction song that i or one direction solo song that i like absolutely love yeah that's so valid oh we actually if you guys are new here we have done a pop-off solo style of all of the one direction's debut members yeah so that was a fun episode i think we also said sign of the times and pillow talk were like yes those are solid boy group you know yeah it's like the tail old the
00:10:27 --> 00:10:41 was it age old tale? There we go. Age old tale of boy group members, or any group members going out. Like I have to be the first one. I mean, he said it a couple times, I have to be the first, and he was. And it's a solid debut. I mean like, I think it's kind of cool that both him and Harry kind of are like the.
00:10:41 --> 00:11:06 had the best signals. It's like the leader, like the center of the group, and then like the rebel of the group. Oh my god, he has like Robbie Williams in the group. Yeah, he definitely, like I feel like the first member that leaves always kind of, there's like a, you can kind of just kind of guess almost. Yeah. Robbie Williams, Jerry Hallowell, Zayn, like they're all, they were all kind of like the rebels. Yeah. So it's interesting. Ooh. All the tells.
00:11:06 --> 00:11:31 But yeah, this song I like. The whole trap R&B thing was kind of cool. I think he could have... Part of me was like, I wish I had a little bit more of a rock element, because it was kind of so raw the way it sounded. Like one little guitar somewhere, especially in that little... There are. There's some guitars, but they're very echoey. Yes. And I was like, we could have had a little solo moment. I don't know. Whatever. I'm just fantasizing. Maybe a live version of this. Please just give me a grindy, nasty, just...
00:11:31 --> 00:11:57 You know, okay, anyway. But yes, I just wish there was a guitar, like a really nasty one solo. But aside from that, I remember that I, when this came out, I was still in school thinking, I was like, oh my God, say the Hot One, the Hot One's on a debut. And this song made sense for me. I was like, he's the Hot One, so. And I feel kind of bad, because it's hard being the Hot One in the group, you know? And then people are expecting me to be like hot. But then he came out with this, I was like, oh, self-fulfilling prophecy.
00:11:58 --> 00:12:28 But yeah, I think this song has always given the vibe of toxic lovers. So I don't think, I don't think just like, oh, this is hot. And it's also like, may this love never find me. Honestly. But yeah, I just, maybe I'm boring, but I never liked Toxicless. I don't, I'm not that girl. I've never been, I'm like, give me the square right, right away. You know, responsible, got his bills in order. That's a good thing. I'm the opposite. And I've come through a lot of what Zane's singing about.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:51 There we go. Once was enough for me. Yeah. Shakes with a pad in her hand. But yeah, I think the song is good. And then the video fits it. Like he doesn't have to do too much. He's just like, you know, just looking at the camera being all like hot and like wounded. Yeah. With Gigi. Gorgeous couple. Yeah. Oh my God. They were like so like iconic. I was like, they're actually like making out in this video. Oh yeah. Interesting. Yeah. She's like, I like him. I like her.
00:12:51 --> 00:13:17 You know, so I like that. And I do think it's very artsy. Like there's Jodi Turner's in that music video, the black model. She's now acting now. Like she's been in so many movies, Queen and Slim actress. Yeah, she was in that music video. I didn't know it was her. Obviously, you're not checking for people like that. But like, she was being used as like the model for like the, I guess the passion of everything because the flowers are coming out of her body and things like that. So I think the video was very artsy, like your jacket.
00:13:17 --> 00:13:35 I love your jacket. Yeah. Your jacket's perfect. Yeah, I liked the kind of psychedelic thing they were going for. And all the effects were really cool. Like, there's a watercolor effect that they put on him and Gigi at one point that's probably my favorite part. But I did actually read a lot of analyses. Like, people got really deep into, like,
00:13:35 --> 00:14:00 just all the symbols of intimacy. People were talking about like gender norms and like, and pressure and relationships as well. It's like, wow, that people got deep. Yeah. I respect people who could tap into that side of their brains. Yeah. Yeah. Interesting. I'm like, I don't know if Zane, was he going into that having, trying to have symbolism or is he just trying to make like a, I don't know. A lot of his music videos, I'm like, was there a storyboard at all?
00:14:01 --> 00:14:26 what's going on right shout out the director but like i don't know what his name was like yeah i'm trying to be like georgia o'keefe meets yeah you know troubled jackson pollock meets you know yeah before we give our scores i do want to shout out the living room session acoustic version where he uses more of his head voice yeah beautiful and also there is a lil wayne remix too yes it's not i mean it's not terrible but it's it's a little way
00:14:26 --> 00:14:45 Okay. He wouldn't have been my choice of guest rapper for this song in particular. No. But, you know, it has a lot of streams. Yeah. I mean, he's an icon in the rap game. Let's be willing to hear him. He was that guy at the time. Yeah. He was. You can admit that. Okay. So I'll give this one a nine. Okay. Ooh. Ooh.
00:14:46 --> 00:15:06 10. Okay. Ooh! Yeah. Okay, mine's just a night. Okay. I was curious. I was like... Alright, next up is It's You, done by Harold Lilly, Zayn, and Malay, and this song was released as one of the pre-order tracks for the album. Okay. So I think it was the second song that fans got to hear after Pillow Talk.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:31 Yeah. Yeah. I was not there for that. I can honestly say I wasn't like keeping up with the Kardashians at this point. But yeah, I think I looked at Pillow Talk and then by that time, I'm not going to lie, got into K-pop. And then you were like, I'm not listening to any Western music ever again. This is why when K-pop fans are like saying certain things, I'm like, baby girl, I was there, but I was a choice.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:56 yeah okay i was i was i was young i didn't know any better i was listening to rock it was r&b then rock like straight up rock metal and then it was k-pop there was no like buffer in between okay you know still always listen to r&b but zane wasn't on my radar in terms of that yeah you know um and the world was falling out of love with chris brown at the time so it was just i didn't have like an r&b guy to listen to really yeah um so yeah i think i kind of didn't even know this was on my radar
00:15:56 --> 00:16:20 um and then listening to the song um the vibes are miserable and yes beautiful yeah but he sounds so broken and i feel like that is just really sad yeah because like wherever he was at the time like how old was he like maybe 20 something here not even mid-20s yet not even yeah i think he's still yeah quite young yeah and he's like he just sounds so miserable but beautiful but like the whole like this person doesn't care about me that there's something like
00:16:21 --> 00:16:43 It's just really sad and then he sounds beautiful though And I think he's so good at emoting that like when I think about like his vocals on like one direction songs And like how he always had to push his voice Like I was listening to the album with a friend and she was like, what is he doing? I'm like who is this? I said Zane. She goes can you even sing? I played her a bunch of like one direction I was like girl. He was taking them home every time
00:16:43 --> 00:17:03 Yeah, he was. You know, especially like best song ever. Like he's sitting there hitting falsettos. He's belted. Just specifically, that was like the most iconic thing I could show her. She's like, that was him? I'm like, yeah, that was him. But here he's just, you don't know that when he's down here in this lower part of his voice that it's so textured. It's so emotive. And it's so like...
00:17:03 --> 00:17:15 not even like relatable, but there's something about his voice that's very endearing. He wanted to take care of whoever it is singing these words. So I feel like I appreciate it, but the song is very sad. Yeah. Yeah, I think I had to skip this path.
00:17:16 --> 00:17:36 I was like, I can't. It's killing my vibe. So I had it as melancholy. Yeah. I agree. The melody of this is not my favorite. I think his vocal execution is beautiful. Very delicate. And I think the production has some interesting elements. There's that organ with this kind of like...
00:17:36 --> 00:18:01 r&b drum beat and there's a big swell of strings that come in for the bridge too so i was like okay i get it but i'm gonna be honest in general this type of r&b is not really what i listen to anyway um it's just very slow and it i don't know melodically just nothing grabs me yeah yeah yeah yeah it's all the same i remember like this song um was like saved i had it saved on my apple whatever yeah and i always skipped it
00:18:03 --> 00:18:29 It's not a bad song. It was just like, I would never... I'm like, okay. I'll keep it, but I'm not... I don't know. Yeah, you kept it out of support. Yeah, exactly. Yes, yes. And squad, squad, listen, y'all. Just because we don't like the one song, I mean, he's not talented. No, he is. And also, the producer, Malay, did come off working Channel Orange, Frank Ocean's project. So I think there's a little bit of an element of like, this was like the style of R&B. And I get it. I was...
00:18:29 --> 00:18:48 call me a sinner. I know we're doing a musical podcast, music podcast. Excuse me. I was not listening to channel orange, not because I was in a K pop, but because I like lush R and B. I like Neo soul. And his was a little bit more like, like this, right. You know, like, yes, there are good songs. Like, um, think about you. Like I can, I can admit that, you know, things like that are like, you know, is it pink?
00:18:49 --> 00:19:12 Pink Matter? Pink Matter, yeah. Songs like that I can appreciate, but I won't say I gravitate toward it. Because now there's artists like Joji doing sounds like this. And Joji's not a great vocalist, but the production's great, right? And it's like, I still don't gravitate toward it. Whereas if you listen to someone like Kesshi, you might like it because Kesshi can actually, you know, give you a little bit more vocals. He's still a little bit like Wounded Soul vibes. But at the time, I can't say that I was like...
00:19:12 --> 00:19:22 into this. I've gotten a little bit better now that I've listened to the whole album. But I think this might be one of the lower ones for you. Yeah. We did get a music video. Oh. Um...
00:19:22 --> 00:19:49 I definitely, it was tough to keep my attention on it. I'm going to be honest. However, it was Nicola Peltz as the female lead, which, you know, we're big Spice Girls fans. So Team Victoria, Team Posh is all I will say there. But I was reading comments from kind of back then, and a lot of people were like, well, she kind of looks like Perry. Yeah. Who, you know, obviously Zayn had a very public comment.
00:19:49 --> 00:20:16 relationship and breakup with her yeah um so i'm honestly that was all that the discourse was the actual video i was like yeah yeah like i again was like these slow-mo shots of like her in the pool and then like walking through the house and like then at the end you're like oh he's gazing at her it's like oh we it took us like three minutes to get to obviously i don't know yeah i was not impressed by this video i think
00:20:16 --> 00:20:32 Yeah, not great. Not favorable. Yeah. Beautiful grounds, beautiful dresses. You know, like. Sure. I don't even know if that applies to this one. I was trying to use the wreath of Franklin. I was trying. Okay, so Emily, what do you rate this one?
00:20:32 --> 00:20:47 Um, I'd say like a six and a half. Okay. Respect. Yeah. I gave it a seven because I do like the way he sounds. I just don't think the execution was like, I'll stick to a seven as well. Purely for his vocal as well. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
00:20:47 --> 00:21:17 Up next is Before, and this was done by Taryn Scarsmith, Harold Lilly, Malay, and Zayn. And this song was written almost immediately after Zayn's departure from One Direction. And the title is written with the number four. And it could be a possible reference to the four remaining members of One Direction. Like instead of I've done this before, it's I've done this, comma, before. Without me. So, yeah. Without me was so involved. I love that.
00:21:19 --> 00:21:44 yes Emily what do you think of before um or before before I was gonna say this was this is like it feels like I'm like shitting on Zane I'm not no no you're not no no this was a total skip for me really I really did not like it you know what girl I'm sorry it's okay because this is where my channel orange Frank Ocean note was so okay okay yeah okay but why I don't know like
00:21:45 --> 00:22:03 Honestly, I just, I don't know. I just, you didn't feel like it connected with you, right? Yeah. Because I can't say I like this one at first. Okay. At first, I didn't like it. Because it was just so like, he sings as if he's an older gentleman coming back into music. Like after being, you know? He went through a lot, okay? I know.
00:22:03 --> 00:22:28 I know. He sounds so jaded that it's kind of just like, man, this album just started. Let me. It's so heavy at first. It almost feels like a mild trauma dump. But him being laid back, like, oh, I'm cool with that. It's fine. I'm not mad. But then meanwhile, he's crying by himself. And this is what the song kind of gives me the vibe. So I get your, like, okay. But for me, I just feel like it kind of, at first, I didn't like it.
00:22:28 --> 00:22:42 And because it was just like parts confrontational, but then parts indifferent where it's like, I've been through this before, but it's cool. You know, mom, I'm not mad or nothing like that, but I hate how things were. And then are you upset? Are you not? Are you? Yeah.
00:22:43 --> 00:22:59 Yeah. That's pretty accurate. He sounded great singing that, though. He sounds amazing. But then, but then, but then I listened. I had to look at the lyrics. I was like, okay, if I cannot, if this is not connecting for me, what is it? So I read some of the lyrics. And I think the concept and the lyricism for me is...
00:22:59 --> 00:23:16 impressive that's like one thing about him I can say like I'm really impressed by um he has a way of creating imagery like um if there's something I want I take all the right wrongs I'm tired of picking that bone instead of like you know a bone to pick like he's a certain kind of thing that he would say I'm like
00:23:16 --> 00:23:41 oh, hang on. There's some wordplay here that I like. Some wordplay. I'm like, oh, that makes sense. I have to think about what that means for you as a man in your life personally as a One Direction alum. So I appreciate things like that. But yeah, I think there's tons of moments of him being fed up, maintaining bravery in the face of scrutiny and dealing with gossip. The lyrics conveyed. So that's what made me connect a little bit more because I was like...
00:23:41 --> 00:24:04 Okay, take yourself out of this. So I think for me, though, for this song, based off the content, the context of the words, I wish Delivery would have been a little bit more feistier. You know, I get that he's like the laid back guy. But like, if you're a little upset, you're like, I'm done with this. I'm not doing this again. Like, I've done it before, you know, be over it. But he did say something like...
00:24:04 --> 00:24:22 When he was writing this, he was thinking like, oh, wow, I've performed before, but like not like this. I used to have four of the guys with me. So it's not super – he's not angry here. I think it's kind of just like he's over it a little bit. And I think that's what the delivery felt like too. Yeah. He's kind of like, I am so done with this part of my life.
00:24:22 --> 00:24:42 But I wish he was angry. I'm not gonna lie. I'm not anger. I get it. He doesn't... I think he's gotten better with that with the more recent stuff with his vocal execution. But I think this whole album he's kind of doing this kind of like sad crooning. Yeah. And was he like... Was he the laid back? I don't know if... Was he like the laid back member of One Day? I feel like he was like the moody brooding like...
00:24:42 --> 00:25:05 Edgelord. Kind of like, yeah. But like, kind of, yeah, like he was very particular is what I always felt about him. He said that in an interview. He was like, he took like the business and like the music part so seriously. Yeah. So that's why he didn't like the music that they were doing. He's like, this is not what I would write. This is not what I would sing. And I get it. But when you're a kid, like, and you're in the system, you're feeling kind of rebellious as well. There's a lot of things he's...
00:25:05 --> 00:25:29 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Anyway, I'm actually the opposite of you. Oh, this for me was one of the better ones. Yeah, I like the production of it. And I think the vocal stack. Yeah, you know, I love. Yes. I love harmonies. And this one has some of the best background vocals. The arrangements are really, really cool. And I think the production is actually a drive to it. There's an energy to it.
00:25:29 --> 00:25:58 And I think I was kind of just waiting for that maybe as we've started this album. And I like how, I actually like the way he sung it because I was getting the idea of him just kind of being like, oof, I'm just like done. I don't even have the energy to even like give to this old thing anymore. Like think out of it kind of thing. So I actually think that works with the song. And the whole thing is like super smooth. So yeah, I actually really like this one. And then we did get a kind of basic music video for this one too. Yeah.
00:25:58 --> 00:26:24 oh yeah it's kind of like day in the life of a normal situation normal yeah he's just at a boxing or like the ring yeah and then they go to the chip store chip stop chip chip shop yeah chip store yeah yeah um i mean i guess it's kind of him saying like i needed to leave so i could go back to my normal life yeah yeah be a little like chill guy yeah maybe i need to give it another listen and like with that in mind i think yeah maybe
00:26:24 --> 00:26:47 Yeah, honestly, on this show, you'll either learn something new or be like me where I'm like, freak, I mean, I gave a wrong score last week and I feel bad about it. I don't feel bad. I'm like, dang it, I gave the wrong score. But yeah, for me, I get what you're saying. I didn't like it at first, but then I came around to it. But he always liked it. So we're like. I did. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm the middle child. Yeah. I feel you. So what do you rate it? I'll give it a nine. Okay. Okay.
00:26:48 --> 00:27:07 Oh, oh, eight. Eight for me. Eight for me. Oh, God. Now I don't want to give her a rating because I might, like, actually end up liking it. You can. Just make the mistake I did, but dang it. I'll say, like, a four. Okay. Yeah. Oh, my God. Listen, don't come for her because I gave somebody a zero once. Look in our episodes. Wait, really? Oh, girl, yes, and I do not take it back.
00:27:08 --> 00:27:37 Who was it? What was it? It was part of a Eurovision. Oh, okay. Because for me, you have all these countries voting for one song and they chose that song. It was giving like someone had money and was paying people off. That's what I said. I could be completely wrong. I could be creating like an international incident. I don't know, but zero. Okay, good, good. All right, guys, moving right along. Up next, we have She and It's Done by Michael Hanides, Anthony's Hanides, and Alan Sampson and Zayn.
00:27:43 --> 00:28:13 Okay, here we are with this chill party type of song. Like it's a chill party, you know? Yeah, this one has a nice groove to it. It is one of the poppier ones on this album. I think in the production, there's like this little pitched vocal sample that kind of loops around that's interesting. And there are these whomping synths in the chorus. And you do get a guitar in the bridge as well. That's cool. So yeah, I think this one is good as an album track. But nothing about it made me want to go back to it.
00:28:14 --> 00:28:31 Same. Okay. But also, like, I feel like what he's saying, there's, like, nothing, there's not much substance to what he's saying. You know what I mean? Like, it feels like a, like, other songs, like, I felt like there was some weight to it. I feel like the song, there's, like, the lyrics, at least, I was not, like, overly impressed
00:28:31 --> 00:28:58 pressed with i guess no that's so valid you guys are both hitting on points that i made in my notes yeah um i said a pretty simple the bassy synths are a highlight in the guitar and the chorus i love it i know what i like like i said i came from rock music into k-pop so i know what i like um so it is detached and in terms of like his vocal approach again but now i think at this point i can accept like that's just who he is at this moment on this episode
00:28:58 --> 00:29:02 with this album. Cause I think as time has gone by, he's put a lot more oomph.
00:29:03 --> 00:29:28 in the delivery of his vocals. So I appreciate that. Um, but yeah, it's attaching casual and it feels a little effortless and smooth. Cause he's talking about this chick who wants a connection, but nothing serious. Like, is it for a lifetime or a nighttime? We don't know. Leave it up to the listeners to kind of decide. Um, big note at the end. Ooh. Yay. Finally something. Yay. Swoon. We love it. Um, he's talented. Um, beautiful dresses, beautiful gowns. Um,
00:29:29 --> 00:29:53 It did feel like one of those where, and I don't know how the A&R went for this album, but it does feel like you need some more commercial stuff. Yeah, that's right. Give us a little, one that's a little less heavy. Yeah. Maybe. Yeah. Because, yeah, I agree. Lyrically, I don't even remember anything about it, honestly. He was saying, like, she wants someone to love and stuff. But, like, he's like, she puts a cigarette on, I put it out. Yeah, yeah. You know, we have a little bit of a push and pull. Okay, so you like the lyrics.
00:29:54 --> 00:30:16 i think in terms of like a regular pop song yes this is by the numbers like kind of bad boy like i see a girl hey girl you know yeah um but go home after this you know which is kind of messed up but whatever um yeah this is not an after carousel i will say that so for that it was after carousel oh yeah you know it's like get out
00:30:18 --> 00:30:39 I was like, let me make sure that's what you mean. Okay, got it. Got it. Yeah. Understood. Not that I would know. You should get a beat for that. Oh, man. Okay, so I'll give this one a seven. It's fine. I'll say a five and a half. Okay. She needs to come more often. Oh, my God.
00:30:42 --> 00:30:58 yes I love it I gave it a 7 okay I love how raw your score is I'm sorry no don't apologize okay because usually I'm always like did I give too low of a score so validate it because I didn't like this album when I first listened to it I'm going to tell you all right now I didn't like it I had to listen to it a couple times but
00:30:59 --> 00:31:26 Okay. Honestly, I think it's the production that kind of builds it up a bit more for me in terms of the points. Because I think I spend a lot of time just listening to stuff around his vocals almost. So props to the producers and writers on that. And I was listening more for the lyricism. So that's what brought me back in as a songwriter. I'm like, okay, give me some. Give me some. So I can. I mean, you're a lyricist, Miss Rapper.
00:31:26 --> 00:31:54 Me? Oh, oh, oh. I was like, wait, hold on. That's not my top title. What? No, that was... You'll have to go watch, but yeah, no, there was no lyricism that really involved. Passion. I love that. Oh, man. Okay, next up is Drunk, done by Michael and Anthony Hanidis, Ellen Sampson, and Zayn yet again. I feel like on this album, I was like...
00:31:55 --> 00:32:18 There should be a song called Drunk on here because he just seems very – obviously we know his mind – what is it? Mind of mind is struggling and probably drinking a lot and going through it. So I was like, okay, obviously there's a song called – I didn't realize there was a song called Drunk until I was listening to this, but I was like, obviously. I like the end and I like a lot of – similar to –
00:32:19 --> 00:32:48 pillow talk, the ends to a lot of the songs are really nice and echoey, which I really like. That's what I liked about Drunk, I would say. The ends take it home. Yeah, I did see a lot of comments. I think this is a favorite among the fans for sure. And again, I'm just going to keep going to the production. Like the piano with the heavy beat, you get the electric guitar, there's like a dreaminess to it that I think is very cool. And you do get a bit more of the kind of classic 90s R&B kind of feel in this.
00:32:48 --> 00:33:05 Yeah. You know, and his voice sounds so good here. It kind of fits that vibe really well. And this one, the lyrics did stand out to me more because there's kind of imagery about late nights and drinks, but then there's also like, may not be about actual drunkenness. It's about like infatuation and,
00:33:06 --> 00:33:23 Drunk and love. Amazing. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. So I think this one's actually a standout. Like this is one that when I would listen to the album, my ears did like perk up a bit. Oh, okay. Yeah. That's valid. You know, the high off life, you know, like, oh, I feel euphoria with you, baby.
00:33:23 --> 00:33:50 That whole vibe is in the song. Because like you said, the lyrics for me jumped out. The production, yes, is good. We get these guys are really talented. You know, same usual suspects. But I was like, what are you going to say on this one, buddy? What are you going to say? But yeah, I think the whole idea of like indulgence and the metaphors used to talk about addiction to someone else was like, again, I haven't experienced that. It's all fan fiction at this point. But...
00:33:50 --> 00:34:06 But I can appreciate like the idea of being that into someone and not knowing like where the feelings are coming from, but the feeling so good about it, but also going, this is kind of not good, kind of obsessive. I'm literally in that right now. Oh my god, yeah!
00:34:07 --> 00:34:34 Real quick, is it good or is it bad? No, it's good, but it's vastly. I'm like, this is what I'm like. This album feels very close to home. But no, it's good. It's just it goes back and forth of like, wait, I'm really obsessed. Maybe this is not good. Oh, no. But is it a little? It's good. I think it's good. I think it's good. That's good. And that's what the song feels like. But the thing is with him, though, because he is a bad boy.
00:34:34 --> 00:34:58 He's talking about only drunk for the summer, all summer long. And it feels kind of like a fleeting kind of thing. So it doesn't feel like a permanent kind of thing. Your situation is different. Do not apply this song to your situation. But yeah, I think it's interesting because like in the second verse, he gets a little vulnerable. And then the music falls away when he's like, I feel emotional. I love that. So it's like he's those bad boys that's always like, oh, I don't want love.
00:34:58 --> 00:35:16 I'm alone. Yeah. You know, I mean, at this time he's long since said, like, he's felt like he's never been in love, which would explain this. Um, but yeah, I like a little bit of yearning, you know, even if it's just for the summer, because again, as I always say on the show, a man who yearns is a man who earns. So yes, um, girl,
00:35:18 --> 00:35:36 you finally have someone who can back you up on it. I'm always just like... Hang on, but you saw Heated Rivalry. I did see Heated Rivalry, yes. Okay, fine. A man who yearns is a man who earns. Yes. Okay, all right. So I give this one a higher score from this album. This one's a nine for me.
00:35:36 --> 00:35:58 Yeah, this is a nine for me too as well. Nine. Next up, we have The Intermission, Flower, done by Malay and Zayn. And the song is sung in Urdu, which is something that Zayn really wanted to do for his father. Yes, I love that. Yeah. Yeah. I loved this. I loved it so much. Like, my note was that, like...
00:35:59 --> 00:36:25 this was the song that made me happy I was listening to this album. It was such a like – The moment I saw like there were the Urdu lyrics or like whatever, I was like, oh, this is nice. And it was so – I mean, it literally was like flowery. And it felt like a nice break from like this like heavy, like black and white melancholy, like toxic thing he's going through. It was like, oh, like in his mind, there are bits and pieces of like, oh, like –
00:36:25 --> 00:36:34 I don't know, not even happiness, but like content is what I feel. And like, because he was singing like to his father, it felt like, like,
00:36:34 --> 00:37:04 his family makes him this way. Like relationships are torturous for him, but when he's like grounded at home, like he gets like, he's fine, you know? Well, absolutely. Ah, you know what? This is the thing about mind of mine, the whole like cycle and analytics has to come. It has to, because otherwise it's like, why would you call it that? Why would you be so introspective? And like, yeah, that's what I was getting to like the, you know, people say look for the glimmers in life. Yeah. This is what this is. Yeah. Um, I love it. He's hitting his nose and for gene scale. Yeah.
00:37:05 --> 00:37:17 I can't do it. I'm not trying to make fun of him. I just can't do it right now. Because I don't know what notes right now. Like, I can't really identify it because it's not. The Phrygian scale is something that's a little bit more common, like the Swanna region. Like, you'll hear it, like, with Beyonce.
00:37:18 --> 00:37:44 You know, she'll do things like that, but not many singers will do that. So I think me being able to place it right now, I'm so sorry about trying to be offensive to anyone. But I do appreciate the different tonality that he's using. I didn't even know it was him. I'm like, who did I say? Yeah. Yeah. Like that was the moment. I was like, who did I say? He's different. Very different part of his voice. Yeah. Girl, the call come from inside the house. Yeah. And the house is not full of flowers, but there's one corner.
00:37:44 --> 00:38:13 where at least one flower is getting sunlight. Yeah. And that's what it was like. So I, what do we say? What is Phrygian scale? Mm-hmm. So we have a bunch of scales that we use in music. Like, you know, the typical like, ah, I forgot what it's called right now, but that's like a standard scale that we use here, like, especially in the West. Phrygian is more common in like Middle Eastern, Botswana territory, like Southeast Asian. Oh, the, things like that or like Beyonce's.
00:38:15 --> 00:38:41 She's jumping up and down. That's like Phrygian kind of scales, like very Arabic kind of style. It's hard. Unless you're trained. But it's because the placement there is crazy because you're jumping from like one note and then hopping up several, not just like two or three, you know. So. But yeah. Thanks for singing. Yeah. Something today. Yeah. I was reading that this was mostly improvised, just kind of one take over this Malay song
00:38:41 --> 00:39:10 looped guitar basically and Malay was saying that he was super impressed by how Zayn managed to kind of get this out and I think the overall production is super beautiful here like it's an acoustic guitar loop but then there's kind of all these atmospheric layers that kind of build in as well and I kind of had the same reaction to it when I was listening through the album where I was like okay this makes this whole project feel super personal and unique to him which I appreciated so yeah this one does what it needs to do
00:39:11 --> 00:39:39 Yeah. All right. So for me, this one's eight. Mm. It's not a full song. Right. Right. It was just so annoying. Yeah, I know. Oh, can you imagine if he kind of just like, and it transformed into an actual song where he's like singing about being happy in the middle of the album instead of waiting to the end? Yeah. He does get a little happy. Kind of waits to the end. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He kind of gets happy at the end, guys. Plot twist. Spoiler alert. Like, you know, like, okay.
00:39:40 --> 00:40:08 I'll give this one a nine. I can't give it a ten. Sure. I don't want to give it super low because we like it. Like, it's weird. Okay. How about you? Nine and a half. Okay. I'll stick to a nine as well. Nine and a half. Okay. All right, guys. Moving right along to Rear View. And this was done by Harold Lily, Malay, and Zayn. I like saying his name like that. The caps. The old caps. You know, Z-Y-N. All right, so...
00:40:08 --> 00:40:30 Okay, so he did describe the song as one where he's talking to himself in a mirror. I do like the lyrics a lot in this one. Like he is just kind of growing as a person and he's just reflecting on what he's gone through. And I think vocally he does sound quite sincere here. I will say the production on this one is not my fave. It feels a little bare.
00:40:30 --> 00:40:59 Like there are these kind of like staccato bloopy bloopy kind of synths there which are interesting. And then there is this 16 beat kind of dance drum beat that comes in for the chorus. But it's not enough. I feel like there's supposed to be more energy in it or something. Like it feels like there's a lot more that could have been done to it. But I will say that background vocals do grow a lot as the song goes. So I think again like with another song that I was saying like the arrangement of the background vocals is nice. But it did I don't know it feels unfinished in a way.
00:40:59 --> 00:41:29 It does. I don't... I was like, is it 80s vibe? I don't know if it's 80s per se, but there's something... Yeah. If you think about, like, I Can't Stand the Rain, Tina Turner, that drum machine, it sounds super bare. Like, it made sense. She's like, I can't stand the rain. You know, not with me. You know, it's kind of like that vibe for me. That was for drama, though. Right. I don't know what he's trying to do here, except just talk about, like, he's having a reflective moment. I get it. Looking in the mirror, I get it. You know, singing to his younger self or whoever...
00:41:29 --> 00:41:51 he's singing to his old self, former self. I get that part. But I just think for me at this point in considering what his influences are, I was expecting a little bit more background vocals, like just to punctuate some of the verses, right? If you're singing like a really dry, not dry, really like kind of like flat notes and just kind of just singing a regular, degular melody, having that little, huh?
00:41:51 --> 00:42:00 that doesn't happen though you know but it happens later on he builds he's more of a builder than he is like a whole here's my whole outfit like he's like that might be malay thing too oh
00:42:01 --> 00:42:30 interesting oh yeah but again I think I just wanted a little bit more of like when something's so bare I'm not saying you have to throw like the whole kitchen sink at things when it's R&B but because we've already gotten so many versions of you singing a regular melody I would like a little especially on the flower give me a little some yeah a little sabor you know girl yeah but I do appreciate the self awareness because I think the whole I want to love you but I can't line sticks out to me the most
00:42:30 --> 00:42:55 I do appreciate that. But most toxic men know that they can't do it. They still try. He's going to do himself here, though. Oh, okay. My point is... We'll sing a song, write a song, and do everything except get therapy. Get help. Hang on. Stop it. Get some help. Y'all know what that mean? No. Oh, it was Michael Jordan. Okay. He's about addiction. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But yeah, this song is kind of like that, where he's super self-aware, and I do appreciate that. But...
00:42:55 --> 00:43:01 It's okay. Yeah, I agree with you guys. I feel like there was something missing. There was nothing like,
00:43:02 --> 00:43:32 Sorry, I'm like tearing his album apart, but like I just feel like there was like I wasn't I again a song that I wouldn't necessarily go back to I think like I mean, it's nice that he's like having this moment where he's talking to himself and Like when I was looking at the lyrics it looked like I'm like I saw this like gray black and white Picture of like a rearview mirror and that's just how I picture this song. It's just like there, you know, things in the past
00:43:32 --> 00:43:59 yeah diary entry yeah yeah so okay so what do you rate it probably like a six okay okay seven seven seven i'll go in the middle i'll do 6.5 okay okay next we have wrong featuring kalani done by zane george astacio jason pebworth john shave alex oriat david felon and kalani and the song was released as the third single from the album but just to radio
00:44:01 --> 00:44:25 Yeah. Speaking of all the like the boy stuff we've been talking about where it's like very toxic, I feel like this is the song. This is where like he's always like, he's like, the sexual undertones. This is like, I think overtly sexual. And I said that it feels like an intense night that will leave you confused and feeling crappy about yourself the next day.
00:44:25 --> 00:44:50 That's what I feel like this song is about. Can I tell you? I was trying to kind of just piggyback off that. I was like, I feel like, is this a song about bi-panic? Because, like, Kalani isn't, like, talking to him. She's also singing to a woman. Oh. Because Kalani, I think she had come out at this point, but it wasn't given, like, she's singing to him. Like, most... Not even trying to be funny, but, like, think about it. A lot of songs aren't very much, like...
00:44:50 --> 00:45:19 Yeah, I ain't ish and you ain't ish. Now we ain't ish together. It's like usually kind of like... Yeah, yeah. I could be completely wrong, but just knowing what I know about Kehlani, I just feel like, you know, after Zayn has had his way, I go, oh, nice girl. And then Kehlani's like, oh, I also don't want you. Oh, okay. Yeah, exactly. I'm totally teasing. But there was something about the way her delivery is. She's so confident and she's always been like that with her writing. I'm not sure. Did Sexy Sweet Savage come out around this time?
00:45:19 --> 00:45:28 Oh, is that the one with like the pink cover? Yeah. That was 2017. Ooh, okay. So like a little bit after. A little bit after. Okay, she was just coming out still.
00:45:29 --> 00:45:53 maybe she wasn't like that but maybe she is singing to him and if so more power to her because i think it's really cool that she's like you know oh you ain't ish i ain't ish let's go yeah they're just horny oh like you know yeah like i'm not mad at it as a concept at all and it did sound like from reading about it that zane pretty much wrote it with her in mind like he really wanted to do it with her which i think is cool they like each other a lot like
00:45:53 --> 00:46:14 Yeah, like as collaborators. And I think there's a lot of tension built in, which is kind of what you want when it comes to a topic like this. There's like this almost clock ticking kind of click in the background. There's like a really heavy synth and it gets super dramatic. And I like the melody of everything. I think it's catchy. I get why it's a single. I don't know how it did, but I get why.
00:46:15 --> 00:46:38 They thought it would be a good single choice. Yeah. And I do think her dynamic with him is interesting because he's so – he has such a thick tone, you know, like heavy rasp and everything. And she's a lot more breathy. So I think them kind of balancing each other is interesting. Yeah. I will say she does kind of get lost in the mix a little bit near the end. At the end, yeah. Like when she does some ad-libs and stuff, it's just you can't –
00:46:38 --> 00:47:07 It doesn't really climax in any way. And the production doesn't really change either. So I will say after the bridge happens, she does the, don't stop. And then it never fully... Especially with a song about this, I want it to get to the end. And it kind of just plods along until the end, unfortunately. Which I didn't love. But this is like the club thing. You meet someone in the club, you're not in the bed yet. I feel like this song is about fucking, but it's not like...
00:47:07 --> 00:47:35 With M. Buh. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But that's the thing. Like, he's being, I think it's almost like that chase. It was like he's saying something about four letters are never a question. It's not L-O-V-E, it's like F-E-C-J. Right. Oh, I did not connect that. See, I have to sit here and be like, let me tap into something. It's the lyrics for me. So this album was like, I have to like really, girl, felt. But you can totally feel vibes. I think what ends up happening with a lot of people, especially when they watch this episode, they might be like,
00:47:35 --> 00:47:52 oh my God, you guys don't know what you're talking about. Like the vibes aren't enough to make a song good, right? But with this one, the intention is very clear. Like I said, the bi panic is there. The voice is, listen, listen. It's just like, oh my God, I don't know which one. Poque los dos, you know what I'm saying? Joking. We need a third feature in here. Right.
00:47:55 --> 00:48:23 it's all fan fiction at this point y'all um but yes i think their voices are complimenting each other for sure and i feel like they could have been a good work spouse like cardi and bruno i love them together sure it could have been good work spouses i do want to hear them together now that their voices are stronger and their writing is so much stronger like folded with with zane that would have been a great little feature too like they're both kind of like tattooed baddies you know like give us some more of that in your old age as parents
00:48:23 --> 00:48:40 it is too bad we didn't get a super sexy music video for this yeah yeah the waste yeah i know he was kind of going through it at the time so sorry i'll take it back yeah all right so what do you rate this one um i'd say a seven okay i say 7.5 okay i'll go an eight yes
00:48:41 --> 00:49:05 All right, guys. You know, that was a fun little talk about nasty things. But on a more, like, clean level with people. You guys are enjoying the episode so far. You can follow us everywhere at CCTV Pops, okay? And if you want to hang out with us unfiltered, even more so than now, you can join us and the CCTV crew for exclusive live sessions and the ability to help us pick future episode topics at patreon.com slash CCTV Pops.
00:49:05 --> 00:49:24 Yes. And if you are watching us, you will see we're in a beautiful studio. So if you're in New York and need space for your content creation, podcast filmings, definitely go to viscast.com. It's a beautiful studio here in Midtown, New York City. And we do have a guest, Emily. Do you have anything you want to plug?
00:49:24 --> 00:49:44 Oh my gosh. You could follow me if you want. You don't have to. But I'm at E-M-I-H-A-Y-Y-Y on Instagram. Y-Y-Y. Yeah. Tell them that it's human nature. Y-Y-Y. Y-Y-Y. Yes. Thanks.
00:49:44 --> 00:50:14 Okay, let's move on to Fool for You. This was done by Zayn, George, Estacio, Jason, Pebworth, John Shape, Alex Oriot, and David Phelan. And Zayn has mentioned that the Beatles and their more psychedelic material was actually a big inspiration for this song. And I did post on Twitter or X like before we filmed this to see if any of the Zayn fans, the Zaquad, had any fun facts that we should know.
00:50:14 --> 00:50:24 And they all One person did say that the fool In Fool for You is Liam Oh okay Which maybe
00:50:25 --> 00:50:51 This is a conspiracy theory that we have not dove into. Yeah, right. Sorry. When you said ZM, I was like ZM. Now I'm, oh, ZM. Yeah, Zane and Liam. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Sorry, I'm just smiling like a doofus right now. I mean, maybe. I mean, tell us more context. Give us more context in the comments. Yeah. Yeah. Cause I'm a fool for you. So what do we think of Fool for You? Yeah.
00:50:51 --> 00:51:11 Um, so I have here one note that like, I've always thought about this, but hearing it particularly in the song, when him and Harry, like singing, I guess it's a head voice when they're like straining a little bit, they sound the same. And that's what I thought listening to this. I was like, they have, they have obviously different voices, but at certain points when they're like singing through their throat or whatever, like it doesn't.
00:51:12 --> 00:51:38 Like, they sound the same. Oh, interesting. That was a note I had. And then also, so I was thinking it was about, like, Gigi, not Liam. But on that note, I was just like, I mean, a lot of these songs, like, we already, I think, like, you know, he did the interview with Call Her Daddy where he was like, I don't know if I was actually ever in love. And I was like, why would you say that? That's crazy. But, like, their relationship seems like it was probably, like, I'm sure it was.
00:51:38 --> 00:51:55 insanely toxic and that's what i got from this song yeah yes i agree um also to what he was saying with the like i never was in love i he he expanded upon and was like i wasn't the best version of myself and if i was in love i don't think i would have showed up that way
00:51:55 --> 00:52:11 which makes a little bit of sense. But like, can you imagine being with someone for how many years? I never loved you. Like it just, it doesn't, it doesn't, it doesn't read well when you're listening. Sure. And just not getting the full context of what was happening between the two of them. But yes, I mean, when you're young and you think you're in love,
00:52:12 --> 00:52:33 and you want to hold on to someone, there is a little bit of digging your claws in that happened. And the song does a good job of illustrating that. Like the line, this love is tainted, I need you and I hate it. It's like throughout the verses, there are dichotomies of like happy and hell. And like, I think it's definitely captured really well because you can really care about someone.
00:52:33 --> 00:52:59 And they can care about you, but because you guys are really undercooked, essentially. Yeah. Undercooked. Underdeveloped. There we go. Sorry. I couldn't find the proper word. Thank you for asking. I'm not offended at all. I was just like, wait. No, I was just like trying to, I was like, huh. I'm so sorry. Yeah. They're a little undercooked. But yeah, they're underdeveloped. Like, they're kids, essentially. Yeah. Like, I personally would never date someone that's 21 years old if I was like,
00:53:00 --> 00:53:23 in my 30s. But there are people who would. But they do it because they know that there's someone who is a little bit underdeveloped. That they can kind of have that. But Puppy Love kind of like, they're so obsessive and doughty. And sometimes Puppy Love gets obsessive. And I think it's kind of sad that if you really relate to the song or if you really like it, it's tough because to feel like you're being seen but also...
00:53:24 --> 00:53:53 feel all these emotions. They're really complicated. Like you want people to understand what you're going through. You want to convey these emotions, but for him to have to go through this with being famous and having eyes on you, it's a lot. Um, but I do appreciate it. And again, then again, I don't know the guy, but he's very much like spilling his guts out here and I do appreciate it. Um, and this is darkness in the song for sure that I hear. Um, but this one captures the anguish of being in love. Like before it was like, kind of like, I'm just messing around with you girl.
00:53:53 --> 00:54:06 This one's like, I love you so much. I don't want to lose you, but I know I should let you go. And it's like, you see now Chris is king independent. I respect that. You know, I would love to take drops of you. Me, I don't know how to cut things off.
00:54:07 --> 00:54:30 So, you know, I've gotten a lot better though in the past couple of years, but I always think like, what would Chris do? So I tell him certain things and he'll be like, yeah, no, I wouldn't. And I'm like, the shame of your reaction is enough to make me stop. Okay, thank you. But I do appreciate the song. And I think for the bridge, he didn't take a big note. And I'm like, dang, because at the end he goes,
00:54:31 --> 00:54:39 Oh, I love the bridge though. I love how soft he gets. I didn't say I hate it. I was just expecting like a big like, oh, my heart. But then it just sounded really broken at the end.
00:54:39 --> 00:55:03 Okay. Yeah, no, one of my main notes is that I think the bridge is like one of the best parts of this song. I did read an interview too. He noted that the song took him months to perfect, which I thought was cool. Like he put a lot of thought into this. Also, I was listening to the album today, like one more time before this. And I actually had the same thought where I was like, Harry could sing this. Because it does have I mean, obviously, as we know, Harry's influences are kind of the 60s kind of rock.
00:55:03 --> 00:55:30 thing yeah so i was like okay i could totally hear this being a hairy song or maybe even a duet but i appreciate the inspiration because i will say it was getting a little samey for just especially production wise yeah to this point um so getting that kind of classic rock at least um vibe was was nice to hear so i i think this one's a solid track um i have it as a 7.5 oh
00:55:31 --> 00:56:00 No. I'd say seven. Oh, I liked it a little bit more. It was sitting at 8.5 between nine, but I think because I relate to it. I'm not like this anymore, so don't try to come up in my place, in my face, with that mess. But yeah, 8.5. Okay. Who was y'all's favorite One Direction member? Zane. Oh, it's Zane. Yeah, like legit. I saw everyone dressed up like preppy boys, and I was like, oh, there's one guy wearing a varsity jacket. And I was like, ooh. That's also, I could hear the runs that he was doing here and there, and I was like, someone cooked here. Yeah.
00:56:00 --> 00:56:27 yeah yeah i always liked his vibe and then maybe harry because i just like his fluffy hair but then time the times came out and i was like i respect him as art yeah yeah sorry yeah i like liam and zane okay yeah maybe i'm a zim oh yeah maybe it was you it was it wasn't someone to tweet out yeah well who was your faves um or favorite i'd probably say harry yeah um definitely yeah i like the
00:56:27 --> 00:56:48 larry larry oh are you a larry shipper no i'm not i like i was i just liked watching the the stuff yeah but yeah that's valid i like them as a duo they're still very active yes i know i'm sure all right moving right along to borders this was done by michael and anthony hanides harold lily zane and millay
00:56:52 --> 00:57:14 with a z yeah I was like what was the I don't yeah I don't really understand he said high school that you know think about like back in the day it was three for the e's also can I just say with the whole alternate capitalization thing as a person who worked at the label and had to type these songs out not fun it's so thank you Zane I remember telling you about it at the time remember
00:57:14 --> 00:57:36 Yeah, was there a rhyme or reason why, like, let's say the B was, like, lowercase, but the O was, like, or was it just kind of, like, back and forth? Like, was there a reason why, like, they choose? Okay. Stroke-inducing. I just remember being so annoying. Because I was distribution. So I was one of the people making sure that it was correct on, like, all the streaming platforms and stuff. So I was literally typing this out.
00:57:36 --> 00:57:51 Multiple times a day. Yeah. The Z is lowercase, not uppercase. Yeah. Yeah. It's weird. Oh my God. Okay. Anyway. This one, the start is interesting. There's like this staccato head voice situation. Mm-hmm.
00:57:51 --> 00:58:18 Then it kind of goes into just a kind of more standard pop structure. Yeah. But I do like the play with the octaves, with the different vocal layers here. There is a groove to this as well. And the lyrics are kind of interesting to read here. Like, he wants to cross the border and the relationship, but that's also kind of sexual as well. And then, I don't know, there's like the first line about she is the life of the party. Don't stick that knife in my body. Yeah.
00:58:18 --> 00:58:33 There's like something dangerous about her. Yeah. So something risky about crossing the border, which I thought was interesting. And he like, at the end, he's like, give me all of this. And then don't follow me. And it's like, it goes back and forth. Oh, yeah. I can't stand it like that.
00:58:34 --> 00:58:58 It might be her problem this time. Oh, maybe it is. There might be something off about her. Dun dun dun. Yeah. She's a vampire. I can't lie. This one kind of plods along. And I think for me, it's like I wish instead of focusing on trendy R&B sounds, he would have gone for a little bit more of a neo soul or maybe even a more like a bluesy vocal filter here. Something that sounded like.
00:58:59 --> 00:59:28 like you know those filters like for example what somber's doing with a lot of his vocals how it sounds like there's like distortion on it not like wonky distortion but it kind of sounds like a radio i feel like for this one he probably could have just done something a little bit different because like i'm listening to this and i started singing a maxwell song um this is the hottest part which it sounded like that it was called bad habit i think it's called bad habit and i think instead of broody chords um
00:59:28 --> 00:59:57 I wanted brass here. Like, it's not bad. It's not bad, especially in the chorus. I wanted something a little bit more, like, brass instruments can be dark if done properly. If you're going for, again, like, the neo-soul vibe. Like I said, it's not bad. I'm just, like, not wowed by the production at this point. And, like, yes, it does build. But, again, it's okay. I do like the post-chorus, like, that give me all of you. He says give me all of you and then, like, flips the phrase. I do like that. But, yeah, I think he just needs a little bit more of a...
00:59:59 --> 01:00:07 Again, the neo-soul thing. I think Teach Me by Music Soul Child is a good reference as well to use with this kind of mid... Not even mid-tempo. Like a little...
01:00:08 --> 01:00:36 slow tempo, but like moody, but talking about love and the dangers of it, but like also being like enticed by it and having this double meaning of let down your walls, like open your wall. I say, you know, it's like, it's just something that play with it a little bit more instead of doing like the trendy thing. It's not bad, but I just think I'm hearing something a little bit more stronger personally. And I think the meaning is a little bit more innocent than other tracks. Like I said, the vulnerability is.
01:00:36 --> 01:00:59 and physicality can exist at the same time. Where it's like, I want you to open up to me. But again, also, open up to me. I think those, this feels a little bit more, quote unquote, innocent. It doesn't feel like, straight on toxic. He's almost like worried about her opening up though. Oh, worried. Not worried, but like, again, there's something like risky about it. Yes. Where he's also like hesitant. Or is he waiting for the other shoe to drop because he's an avoidant attacher. I'm just saying.
01:01:02 --> 01:01:23 joking i'm joking but i think it's good that the song kind of creates like a little bit of a what is he trying to say yeah what do you what do you want yeah yeah you know i'd like he sounds great i need more of him just giving more neil's soul leaning as opposed to like the whole rap r&b thing yeah that's it though okay yeah all right so what do you rate this one
01:01:24 --> 01:01:38 I also will rate this a 7. Okay. This is why it's an 8. I have it as an 8 as well. Yeah. Okay. I don't hate it. Okay, next is Truth, done by Zayn, Malay, George Astacio, Jason Pebworth, John Shave, Alex Oriot, and David Thelon. Thank you.
01:01:43 --> 01:02:11 I feel similar to, I don't know if you guys will listen to the most recent BTS album. Oh, yeah. But like a lot of the songs I felt like got good at the very end. And I was like, why is this like, like the music I've been listening to, it's like the song gets better at the end. Yeah. What's the reasoning behind? Like, is that like an A&R choice? That's like, yeah, we're going to like, I don't know. That's also like subjective to my opinion. But like, I'm wondering, like, I just, there were a couple of songs in this one included where I was like, okay, the ending is my favorite part. Yeah.
01:02:11 --> 01:02:33 Yes, I think this is the one that kind of gave you the neo soul that I was looking for because it has all these harmonies. This was the song that I thought rear view was going to be in terms of the ending. And it gets better. I was like, wait, no, it's not this. But yeah, I think for me, the ending does kind of like lock it in, seals the deal a bit. But yeah, I think the lyricism here about like not pointing fingers and not saying any names in terms of.
01:02:34 --> 01:03:01 what caused his trauma, what caused his strife, what made him feel a little bit unhappy is good. But yeah, I feel like also this could have been an interlude. Like it's giving like, this could have been an email vibe. Like, you know, this song could have been an interlude. Cause I feel like for him to be, you can totally air your grievances. Yeah. But again, this whole like sedated delivery, it got a little old for me. And again, I,
01:03:01 --> 01:03:18 It could be the whole thing where it's like he's letting things be the way that they are. And I appreciate it. I think there's something beautiful about being detached. But when you already gave us detached from before. And then now this is kind of like you want to say you did this to me and did that to me. But I won't point fingers, but I'm really like, it's like, why bring it up again?
01:03:19 --> 01:03:34 Well, I feel like this one lyrically feels more like a justification. Oh, okay. That's valid. He's kind of like, there's the lines, but like, this ain't my scene. This wasn't my dream. Like, it's almost like he's defending his decision to leave a little bit.
01:03:34 --> 01:03:59 And I think the melody itself actually feels quite decisive. It's like, this is my truth. This is what I'm doing, and it's the right move for me. I will say, though, the lyrics are more interesting than the actual song. The actual song for me, I didn't really do much. That's valid. Yep. Could have been an interlude. Thanks. Yeah. So I have it as a six. I was going to say eight. Okay. Eight for me.
01:04:00 --> 01:04:22 I gave it like a seven. Okay. It's not too bad. We love different opinions here. That's the point. Yeah. So if you're like, oh my God, here we are not killing each other. Like it's not, because we, because a lot of fandoms, the ARMYs, Swifties, there are certain artists we just don't review because sometimes they get a little like, and it's like, babe, they're making millions of dollars. They don't care about none of us. None of us.
01:04:22 --> 01:04:51 Up next is Luca Zade. And this was done by Zade. Zade. Sorry. I can do this. Oh, my God. All right. All right. Moving right along to Luca Zade. And this was done by Zane, George Astacio, Jason Pebworth, John Shave, Alex Oriott, and David Phelan. All right. And this fun fact was recorded in one take.
01:04:52 --> 01:05:17 Yeah. Which you can kind of tell. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. It explains a lot. Your face is iconic. Just... Really? Okay. I will say, the actual track, I think is awesome. The production? Yeah, the production. There's a ton of energy. There's all these synths, all these flourishes and stuff. And it almost makes me sad...
01:05:17 --> 01:05:35 that this is the track that he decided to do this kind of stream of consciousness brain vomit situation because you could actually write an awesome pop song against this track. Dude, my notes. Really? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Like, I didn't like that he was...
01:05:37 --> 01:06:04 Yeah, I didn't like the... He was off-key. I think intention... It felt like... Yeah, like some of the runs and stuff were definitely not perfect. Yeah. He was just vibing. Yeah. Yeah. That's valid. I also thought Leucosade at first was like a prescription drug. Me too. Me too. That's what it like... I didn't know it was a drink. Yeah, we're American. Sorry. Sorry. All right. You can't tell by the accents. But it is like Gatorade. It's like an energy drink. Okay. Oh, okay. I'll be trying that. And they're like all colors. Different colors and stuff. It's a lot of sugar.
01:06:04 --> 01:06:18 Okay, I will be having half of it. We will look at it in the store. Okay. Actually. Yeah. I'll end up getting an Iron Brew. Or that. Actually, we're not going to. Oh, that's right. That's not the right country. Okay. Sorry.
01:06:18 --> 01:06:41 But yeah, I don't mind the raw vocal because then it does feel like a brain vomit situation. Because I almost think if they polish the vocal afterwards, then I'd be even more confused about the song. I was really listening and he said that. That's actually funny. Yeah. That's valid. Yeah. What did you think of the lyrics? You did like a deep analysis.
01:06:41 --> 01:06:58 Okay, so here's the thing. I was trying to figure it out because, again, he's already aired out a lot of grievances. So first verse, drinking, smoking, self-soothing through trauma or whatever he's going through. Maybe that year of nothingness he was writing about. Verse two, he's saying something to someone about being a villain.
01:06:59 --> 01:07:28 And he's like, you know you're the villain. You can't even deny that. But who was the villain? Is it management? Is it a lover? Is it a friend? Is it whoop? Is it a Miss Piper? Verse three, caught up in the fame, feeling misaligned. Verse four, feeling muted and suppressed in his old life. And then verse five, I think the most interesting one, is about a cougar that had him in a triangle. At this point in the album, I wish that verse five was fleshed out. It would have been amazing to explore, because he said something about being a little bit older
01:07:28 --> 01:07:45 And then there's another man somewhere involved in whatever verse five was. He mentioned. It's Liam. Wow. Wow. Yeah. I've become a ZM shipper just in the last hour. Yeah. I think maybe not Cougar Cougar. Maybe she's like three years old.
01:07:45 --> 01:08:13 That's why, in the last hour. Maybe she's like three years older, but there is that concept. I think if he would have had at least one track that was just like a fantastical kind of idea. Like, yeah, maybe there was an old one, we don't know. But this track, the production stuff sounds kind of dangerous, kind of spicy, and to have a track like this would have been good for pop radio, it would have been interesting. And who doesn't love a good triangle? I mean, that's what all these dramas are built off of. You know? Not in real life, but.
01:08:13 --> 01:08:38 oh yeah no no no don't do that unless you want to and if you do more power to you but if you're not doing it but either way verse five i feel like is the most interesting in terms of like him like not sounding super bitter this one's kind of just like you're playing with me girl you're playing with him you know so yeah i appreciate that okay so what do we rate this one i'm gonna say like a four oh yeah for the track yeah
01:08:38 --> 01:08:59 I have to, I'll give it a little bit higher. So I'll give it a six. I'll give it a six too. I'll bump it up. Yeah. But the verse is giving diary entry. Okay. Next is T.I.O. This was done by Michael and Anthony Hanidis, Herbie, Critchlow, and Zane. And T.I.O. is an abbreviation for Take It Off.
01:09:01 --> 01:09:20 So Zayn did say that the original concept of the song was a lot deeper. It was about seeing someone's true beauty. But it ended up just turning into just, you know, a smexy song. Yeah. So you got your hair tie with the sweatpants. Because I think the whole, like, makeup off, kind of, that was the original idea. Yeah. Like, I want to see your inner beauty. But then it just...
01:09:20 --> 01:09:41 It made a turn. I wish it would have been more about that because I feel like this is the third song on the album that's about being ultra horny and wanting to hook up. I wish it would have been more about it would have stayed to what he thought it was going to be. Blank again? Okay, I guess. Yeah.
01:09:41 --> 01:10:02 Yeah. Oh my God. It's really handsome. Joking. But I'm not going to lie to you. This was like the ending of the standard, right? Yes. So I think as an ending, at least you got something upbeat. Sure. Oh my God. Yeah. Girl, because we would have got something miserable. I'm like, please. Secondly, when I saw TIO, I wrote TIO. That's what I did too.
01:10:02 --> 01:10:31 I was like more story more story more lore but yes I think having the verses with this low bass and his voice was noise like it just feels like you know it feels like that vulnerable space where it's like it's giving that right but then it just got I guess you know it got to that point again where he's like you get off on me nasty not the giggle I appreciate it when's it my turn
01:10:31 --> 01:10:51 um but yes i can imagine this she's taking applications here oh no no no no no no but again like i said i can imagine this song just fueling and inspiring fan fiction you know okay yeah were you on were you on the forums
01:10:51 --> 01:11:21 Uh, like here and there. Okay. Often, but here and there. Yeah. Okay. Right. But this song, it makes kind of sense. Like your, your why in fantasy is like, I was at the concert and like, I stayed behind the, Oh my God, as a fan, come on the bus. Um, the song is very lusty, but otherwise lackluster. Um, the kick drum is giving it energy and his, it's giving like his eyes darkened energy, but like the choruses are not giving me the extra bits of inches that I need. Um, however, the bridge is yummy.
01:11:21 --> 01:11:36 Sure. Yeah. And he is giving me vocals, doubles, and yearning. And you know what I say? A man who yearns is a man who yearns. Yes. You get it? Chris didn't like my innuendo. No, it's okay.
01:11:37 --> 01:12:05 No, it's great. Oh, you like that? Yeah, yeah. This is definitely giving The Weeknd a little bit. Oh, okay. That's valid. Especially in that second verse. Yeah. He almost kind of sounds like him. He almost like kind of narrows his voice a little bit to be a bit more nasally. And I was like, oh, he kind of sounds like The Weeknd. But I agree with you. I like the production of it. There's like a driving beat to it. And there's a lot of tension in the track itself, which is good. I also enjoy the stutter that leads into the chorus. Oh, yeah. Ah, ah, ah. Yeah. I like that. That's just a good buildup.
01:12:06 --> 01:12:31 I think it's fine. Like, I don't know. Like, I appreciate a horny song, but I think the lyrics and the other two are maybe a bit better. This one is just like very just straightforward. Yeah. You know? Are you all straightforward? I mean, it's fine. But again, it's just giving the weekend. Like, for me, there is sexiness in like subtlety. No, you always said that. He's always said that. Yeah. You know? Yeah. And sometimes it's just kind of like, all right.
01:12:32 --> 01:12:59 I mean, he was a young whore dog. What can you say? Yeah. Yeah. So I have this as a seven. Oh, that's reasonable. Okay. Okay. I'll match you. The 0.5 might be a little bit like extra, but I'll match. No, I'll give it a 0.5. 7.5. Okay. That's mine too. 7.5. I'll give it a 0.5. Okay. So let's get into these deluxe tracks. There is Blue, which was done by Zayn, Harold, Lily, Malay, and Johan Sebastian V.
01:13:01 --> 01:13:08 And it does feature an interpolation of the prelude from Bach's prelude in C major. Mm-hmm. Okay.
01:13:13 --> 01:13:39 Now, I remember someone on Twitter was also telling us, like, you guys, he used the sample. I'm like, yeah. Yeah. I appreciate that. No Tino shade. I was just like, thank you for the... Yeah. Yeah. It's a fun fact. Yeah. It's a fun fact. The thing I noted here was, like, this is when we switched to all caps, I believe. Yes. Oh, yeah. For the bonus tracks. Yes, we did. Like, what was the impetus behind, like, right now? I don't know. Like, these three tracks are, like...
01:13:40 --> 01:14:03 You're so right. Yeah. Yeah. At that point I was still too junior. I was just handed the track list and told to go with it. So I have no insight. Okay. All captured. Yeah. Yeah. Dang. Tortured my boy. Um, I think the interesting part of the song is again, where the lyrics are. And then I think the production has like this do, do, do, do like acapella vibe, which I appreciate. Um,
01:14:03 --> 01:14:32 the lyrics in the clouds where the angels sing, he said something else. And like, that's where he wants to be. Like the lyrics are very beautiful. And I think it's so interesting, like in his older age, like we've already said, he said that he's never been in love. And even here, he kind of says, I've been doing it wrong for so long, for too long. And it's just like, again, you're only like 20 something. Like how, how much do you know? Like how much have you been through? Or how deeply do you feel where you feel like you're not doing enough, but then like you want more. It's like this weird, like,
01:14:32 --> 01:14:56 push and pull but also kind of it's a testament to his state of mind maybe then maybe now he's a lot better he's in pennsylvania with a chicken so i think he's better you know like i love that for him um here you can recognize what is good and beautiful and maybe because like he needs love but he doesn't feel present like in his in that present moment he didn't feel like his best self he felt inadequate and still needs somebody to love so it's
01:14:56 --> 01:15:16 the lyrics kind of do that back and forth of like, I'm not good enough, but I do want to be loved and I can do it. I think, I don't know. Um, the song is beautiful. Um, and I think if he's meant to sound wounded, he's done that really well. Um, and I think if you're someone who's listened to the album, you're just listening straight through like what you did,
01:15:17 --> 01:15:35 unfortunately the emotional fatigue could start to set in. Cause now we're again with the whole, like I said, even with you guys, I'm sitting explaining like the love, I want to feel love. You guys are both like, yep. And I don't feel like offended, but it's one of those things where it's like, we've said it so many times where it's like,
01:15:35 --> 01:15:58 I can't really defend it anymore because it's like, baby, please. Now, if you are into this kind of thing, like the Joji, like, you know, sometimes I look in her eyes. I can't stand it. I can't stand that, his vocal delivery, but the production of it, the lyricism, the whole, like, it's not good enough. I want love. I get it. But after a while, I wanted something different because for me, it's like...
01:15:58 --> 01:16:22 With the way the song was going, I wish we could have gotten like even like a little choir vocal moment to something to kind of build in the energy. Like, I think for me, my issue with his songwriting, as beautiful as it is, there is no resolution. Like, when do you get to the point where you're happy in that same song? Why is it you're sad the whole time? Like, I'm miserable. I want love. I don't know how to get it. Toward the end of the song, when that bridge comes around, have a revelation of, oh, my God, I can have it.
01:16:22 --> 01:16:41 that's just for me that's just how I write though because after a while I'm like I can't be crying he's like my minute three and a half yeah you know so I just feel like it could have just been elevated a little bit more with different voices different productions something that sounded a little bit more hopeful toward the end just to give us a little bit of a but aside from that I don't hate the song
01:16:41 --> 01:17:09 I don't love this song. Oh, okay. Again, this kind of, like, really slow R&B. It's just not really for me. I do think the dreamy kind of vibe is nice, and the way they use the sample is pretty cool. And I think vocally, runs are super impressive. He sounds very vulnerable, but the whole thing... And maybe it is just fatigue from the same emotion, kind of now for, like, an hour. Yeah. Because it's all just a bit mopey. You know? And I'm kind of like, dude, like...
01:17:10 --> 01:17:33 pick it up i feel exactly like i feel so bad but i'm like yeah like it's just the same like gray emotion of like yeah i don't know and by the way guys if you are listening to this and not agreeing with us think about that one person that keeps sex you after you've moved on block them this is that vibe yeah anything else you want to note nope
01:17:34 --> 01:18:01 I have it as a five. Oh, dang. He's like, I'm over it. Do you think if it were up like higher in the track list, you would have it higher? Maybe. I mean, like I said, this kind of really slow R&B where the melody is like not that catchy is never, it's just not really a thing that I enjoy in general. So I think potentially maybe a little bit higher, but I think it's just not really my thing. Yeah. Yeah. That's valid. Yeah. Yeah.
01:18:02 --> 01:18:11 Okay, I don't hate this song. For all my notes, I don't hate it. I give it a seven. It's okay. I don't think it's as strong as his other miserable tracks, but I think as a... Yeah.
01:18:12 --> 01:18:36 I could appreciate it, you know? Yeah. Yeah. How about you? I'd say an eight. Okay. Yeah, it's not bad. Yeah. Yeah, I probably would have scored it a little bit higher had he done that something at the end. Yeah. I know this wasn't this album, but I wish we could have gotten a strip that down kind of song, like a Liam, like a party song like that. Yeah. I really wish we could have started. The closest is what we'll get to in a few tracks. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Ooh, now I feel bad about my seven. Oh, damn it.
01:18:36 --> 01:18:57 See, told you. Because I don't hate this song. I just think the fatigue probably does set in for people. Yeah. Up next is Bright. And this was done by Harold Lilly, Malay, and Zayn. And Bright is one of the brighter tracks of his existence, apparently. Because this one was like, whoa. Wow. Yes, he's actually found light again. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
01:19:02 --> 01:19:18 I enjoy the way the song explodes with the chorus. Like a lot of tension building in the pre, which I think is cool. Yeah. And the bass hits are like really strong. There's just a lot of energy here. Yes. Which I think especially after the last one, I found refreshing. Yes. Yeah. How about you? I honestly...
01:19:18 --> 01:19:41 don't have much thoughts on this song yeah um like i know like towards the end of the album there's more dancey vibes but like i don't know like i wanted something more like liam-esque i feel um and like it is bright er yes um yeah it just didn't really yeah you know what yeah i don't blame you either one of you um
01:19:41 --> 01:20:07 I think for me, we're at this point where again, like you're seeking internal validation and happiness from other people. And I think personally for me listening to the song, like I like what it was doing, but again, when I was reading the lyrics, it was come, your happiness is coming from someone else and then your sadness is coming from that same person is another cycle. But again, we're on this album with the mind of mind, it's like analytics is going to happen. But I think there is a playfulness that is there.
01:20:07 --> 01:20:35 Like the lyrics, she's a kryptonite, she's in my kryptonite, light it up like dynamite, load her like gigabyte. I thought that was funny. Because it's just like, it's a wordplay. It's a little corny. But because it's him, it's kind of cool. And like, you know, he's getting ready to boink whoever it is that's making him really happy. So it's like, you won the war, you know, give a dog a bone kind of thing. It's like, it's kind of fun. And I do appreciate that. And I think he does a good job of saying like, hey, I was caught up in crap in between the
01:20:35 --> 01:21:02 drinking and smoking i found my person and i i appreciate that but again the issue then becomes like are you gonna be happy on your own can you do it on your own can you talk about how your boys make you feel like is there one time one day in that whole year of you preparing for this album where you were like i was with my friends and we all were having a good time but again like he said he was not in the best of places but i do like this song and that loaded up light up like dynamite loaded like gigabyte line gets me every time okay teehee
01:21:02 --> 01:21:23 so my rating is gonna be a little higher okay um i'll give it an eight like what i should have given blue okay so this is a for me okay yeah i'll do a six okay i have it as a seven i love how different we are this is great that's why i love you here
01:21:24 --> 01:21:39 Okay, next up we have Like I Would, done by Zayn, George Astacio, Jason, Pebworth, John Shave, Alex Oriet, and David Villan. And this was released as the second single from the album in March 2016, and it peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100.
01:21:45 --> 01:22:06 A lot of the songs towards the back end are not produced by Malay. Mm-hmm. Yes. I realize. Yeah. I don't know. The notes that I have here are that going back to the toxicity of more jealousy and comparison in this realm. So it's different.
01:22:06 --> 01:22:26 um the music video um was interesting it was a tron video with like random shots of a girl and so it didn't really really i don't maybe it was supposed to like mimic a club um and he had like a different eye color so i just like he was trying to give superhero a little bit
01:22:26 --> 01:22:56 It could have been so much better. Like, it was giving Club a leg maybe because he's like, oh, I can't, I don't know. Maybe, uh, um. Well, then there was, like, the row of dancers, which he never really interacts with. Yeah, I was gonna say, he's just giving very, like, removed Club. Right. Like, Club of his own. Like, he's like, silent disco. Yeah. I mean, he's, he clearly doesn't want to be, like, a pop boy. Yeah. You know? So it does feel a little like the label maybe just came up with this concept and was like, you're gonna stand in the middle of lasers. And he's just like, okay. Yeah.
01:22:57 --> 01:23:14 I mean, look at The Weeknd. I'm going to say he doesn't want it because he made that terrible drama with his... Zayn has... The Weeknd has a creative visual... He does. He does. But I think they should have done a vibe like The Weeknd in terms of the video. Not just having him look like a neon...
01:23:14 --> 01:23:31 Right. Neon man. LED man. You know, with the... I will say, I do like the red eye thing. I wish they would have just kind of done something a little bit different that wasn't so just like, here's a commercial about the newest vehicle from the future. It was just like that for me. This...
01:23:31 --> 01:24:00 The lyrics are messy boots. That was my note, my one note. I was just like, it's super messy boots. But again, it does create a little bit of tension outside of himself. So you know what? A win's a win. Yeah. A win's a win. Yeah. And I feel like One Direction has some songs where they're like, I'm better than that guy. Yes, me too. So it does kind of, I don't know. He's done that concept before. Yes, he does. I understand why this was released as a second single. It does feel very commercial, especially if they're going for
01:24:01 --> 01:24:24 like the pop yes route yeah i will say i did look at his recent set list because he's going on tour or he's been on tour he does not perform this one so i guess he's not a huge fan of it um but he did actually do quite a few promo performances of it like he performed at an award show he did like some radio shows and stuff he tried um but yeah i guess
01:24:24 --> 01:24:52 It doesn't feel like from watching those, he really connects to the song that much. Like it is a lot more surface level than the other stuff on this album. Like it does feel like, I think I mentioned this for another song. It's like, you got to go back in the studio and come up with some commercial stuff for potential pop radio. And this was one of the results of it. I don't think it's a bad song. I do think there's stronger stuff on the album. Yeah. But I get what they were going for.
01:24:52 --> 01:25:20 Yes. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. Yes. So for me, I like it. Sitting at 7.58. Okay. You know, 7.58? Okay. 7.58. Yeah. Okay. I'll match you guys with the 7.5. All right. Yes. Yeah. Up next, the final track is She Don't Love Me. And this was done by Zayn, Terrence Scar-Smith, George Astacio, Jason Pebworth, John Shave, Alex Oriette, and David Phelan. I think I know she don't love me.
01:25:22 --> 01:25:43 Right. She Don't Love Me is an interesting one. Yeah. Oh, Lord. The lyrics of I think I know she don't love me. That's why I F her right. Yeah. I had to read that a couple times. Yes. What do you – what does that mean? Like what does that mean? It's a pack. It could be different things. Like the she and the her could be different people.
01:25:43 --> 01:26:09 I thought he was cheating. Right? Like, I think I know she, number one, don't love me. That's why I F her number two. Yeah. Right? I thought he was cheating. That's an option. I thought he was cheating. Or it could just be a, like. Self-worth thing. Yes, exactly. A self-worth thing. Like, I know she don't love me, so I got to, like, make her love me. You know what I'm saying? Like, I got to try even harder to, like, convince. Is it king shaming, you said? He's into being shamed. Oh, into being shamed. Yeah, I guess. Oh, yeah. Maybe. Oh, could be that, too. I didn't even go there.
01:26:09 --> 01:26:34 I was thinking more emotionally he's like trying to keep her almost or like try to convince her that they should stay together. Sorry. You know what I mean? Because if it's that, damn. Jesus. But it could also be the cheating situation. I thought he was cheating because I was like, you ain't ish. But then now as you say it, yeah, it's kind of like, what's wrong? Yeah. But I mean, some people do feel like if I perform a certain way, if I behave a certain way.
01:26:34 --> 01:26:52 This person will stay with me. So I think in that sense, it's just like, oof. But again, I think my biggest issue with the album is that it is giving a little bit too much into the troubles of another person and letting them control your emotions.
01:26:52 --> 01:27:13 and control your actions. But I think in terms of like the vibe of the song, it's actually kind of fun. Like if it wasn't this lyrical content, the melody's not bad. It's not a bad song, but I just think I'm just like, ooh boy, troubled. But it doesn't mean you're a bad person. You can be troubled, but you're like 16, was it 18 tracks? 18 tracks of it is a little question, like, ooh girl.
01:27:13 --> 01:27:37 but aside from that like the vibes are fun I hate using the word vibe yeah this one does have an 80s situation to it and there's like a lot of metallic sounds in it which are interesting I did read in an interview that he did mention that this song also came out like a stream of consciousness so it does have that same kind of rawness I guess that Lucozade had but it's much more structured because I assume they wrote it that way but then actually turned it into
01:27:37 --> 01:27:46 a proper song. Yes. Yeah. That makes sense. All that mumbling that singers do. I know I mumble on the tracks. I'm like, and then put words. Yeah. So it could also be that that line means nothing.
01:27:47 --> 01:28:17 Yeah. Oh. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Maybe he was just writing a track and writing fan fiction. Yeah. Yes. Okay. Right. Exactly. Exactly. Lord. Okay. So I have this one as a 7.5. Okay. I don't dislike it. The lyrics kind of kill it for me. So I will match it because I was thinking maybe 8, but the 7.5 feels a little bit more because I'm just like the lyrics. After a while. I'm going to do 6.5. Okay. Get him. Okay. So we're now at our cut or keep section. So. Okay.
01:28:17 --> 01:28:41 This is where we had to cut a song off this album. What will we choose and why? It's you. Bye. It's you. Really? Um, okay. Let's think. Let's think. Okay. I said it way too quickly. Um, I would either go rear view or lucosade. Oh, lucosade. Hmm.
01:28:42 --> 01:28:50 I think. Or honestly, I know you guys rated it high. Yeah. She Don't Love Me. I wasn't, that was my least favorite. Can I tell you lyrically? Yeah. Sonically. Ooh, the whole thing.
01:28:51 --> 01:29:13 Yeah. She said no, but throw the whole thing away. But maybe Lucozade I would cut. Yeah. Okay. And if I had to cut a slow one, Blue. I know you guys like that one. Sorry. That was fine. Okay. So It's You. I'm okay with it. It's You. He sounds beautiful. Love that. Cute. But it's miserable. I think there's a better miserable song on the album. Even on the deluxe, there's better miserableness. And then maybe...
01:29:15 --> 01:29:34 I would say truth. It's okay. Like, thanks for speaking your truth. Sure. But different delivery probably would have been stronger for me. Okay. Yeah. Okay. And if we only got to keep one song off this album, we're not allowed to choose Pillow Talk. No. What do we choose and why? I would do B4.
01:29:35 --> 01:29:56 Oh, that was because I even remember when I listened to the album back, but even before it came out, because I was getting access to it. That was one of the ones that I was like, okay, this was cool. Oh, wow. Okay. For me, the intermission flower. Okay. Flower. Yeah. Nice. I would keep that just.
01:29:57 --> 01:30:18 Because it was so different, I really liked to hear that different side of his voice. And I wish he did a whole album with just, I don't know, that sort of sound. Going back to his roots, I think it'd be so pretty. And I just loved it. So I would keep that for sure. That'd be fire. Oh, let me see.
01:30:19 --> 01:30:46 I like Cool For You. Okay. Yeah. Good one. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Okay. So overall thoughts and a final rating on this album. All right. Yeah. I do think, production-wise, I do think overall, they did a really good job finding his sonic identity. I think, obviously, him leaving One Direction, you know, I think there was a lot of pressure on him as the first one out, The Gate.
01:30:46 --> 01:31:09 And I think they did a really good job identifying what he was going to do. Because I think they actually did a good job across most of One Direction. I would say maybe Liam had the biggest struggle to kind of get himself out of anything like super, super generic commercial. But I think they set him up really well. And I think he was able to get out what he needed to get out.
01:31:09 --> 01:31:25 Yes. And I think vocally, like the background vocals and everything, you could just tell there was a lot of thought put into all of it. Even if I didn't love every song on the album, it did feel very personal to him. So I appreciate the project as a whole. Yeah. Yeah.
01:31:26 --> 01:31:49 Yeah, I'm trying to remember how I felt when I first listened to this. I know obviously there was a lot of anticipation because this was the first solo album. But I feel like for him to come out of it and be so forthright in the struggles he was having, I feel like despite there's a lot of songs that I don't really need to listen to again, I feel like it was very sorry.
01:31:49 --> 01:32:18 Sorry, you said so casually. Sorry. Please don't come for me. I'm so sorry. I love One Direction. But the fact that he did have the courage to do that, and also there was the ability to let him be so honest. I think that's one of the more... That's, in my opinion, one of the more positive notes about the album, and an album that's not the most positive. Mm-hmm.
01:32:19 --> 01:32:34 Yeah. So I like it for that reason. Yeah. That's valid. I feel the same way. I told y'all, when I heard this album for the first time, I said, oh, girl, take me out. Get me out of here. Get me out. Get me out. Because just personally, I don't like when...
01:32:36 --> 01:32:51 a whole album is like super moody. But this is why like when I listen to certain artists, like I can listen to Alondra, right? But I've never listened to a full thing through and been like, oh my God, I need to hear all of this again. Doesn't mean she's a bad writer. It's just after a while, I can't stay in this mood.
01:32:51 --> 01:33:18 And I think for where he was, it's like a zeitgeist of his mind. It's like, whatever he was going through was frozen in amber at this point, especially with this album, because it's like he was going through whatever he was after one direction and then the scrutiny and then the anxiety and then love and all this other stuff that was happening in his own inner turmoil. And it is a lot to listen to and they've sugarcoated it with great beats. Right. But at the same time, like it's,
01:33:18 --> 01:33:43 it's that whole thing where you keep talking about how bad things are. It's going to always feel bad. And for me, like listening to this album, I was like, I need to take a step away from it, you know? So it doesn't mean it's bad album. It's just personally for me, I don't think I would sit here and listen to this with intentions of like wanting to listen to music and feeling good. I would listen to it if I was like a fan of his, if I liked his lyricism, because honestly, lyrically speaking, it's,
01:33:43 --> 01:34:07 it's so like it's good um it did make me a fan of his a lot more and it kind of made me regretful that i did not know that um long island was doing like a free meet and greet we're out here in new york you gotta sit there and just stand out there and fight for your life because in long island you buy the album it's called looney tunes looney tunes is a record shop and if you buy the album secure the ticket that's how i met romeo santos i was like
01:34:07 --> 01:34:27 I don't have to pay $100. I don't have to stand out for five hours. I mean, we stood for a long time, but it was a guaranteed slot. So shout out to Long Island. See y'all doing your thing. But yeah, I just, I was like, dang, I wish I could have gotten that ticket. Because I want to like listen to the newer album and then like meet him and just see who he is now. Because whoever he was before, like he said, was not his best self. Yeah. But. Yeah.
01:34:27 --> 01:34:55 It was a pretty solid artist coming from the machine that is so loud and so glittery and so rock, which I think is why he also was kind of very muted on this album as well. So solid. I will give it an eight. It's not bad. I will give him an eight. Maybe 7.5. Depends. But an eight. I can say in my good feelings right now, I'll give him an eight. Yeah. Seven is where I'll sit. Okay. I'll land between you. I'll do a 7.5. Yeah. Yeah. I think he's I think he's strong.
01:34:55 --> 01:35:15 yeah for sure for sure directioners squad what do you think of zane's debut album let us know in the comments and tell us what other artists or albums you want us to review next and huge shout out to our cctv crew on patreon hillary lily emily darius phoenix wren george julianne jonathan janelle luke ivana
01:35:15 --> 01:35:41 Wyatt, Ryan, and our newest member, Fernando. We genuinely could not do all of this without you. And you can follow us everywhere at CCTV Pops. And if you're watching on YouTube, don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on those notifications. And if you are following on a podcast app, please give us a good rating. Okay? Five stars. Five stars. Until next time. That's Chris. That's Chantel. And that's Emily. And we're signing off from CCTV, the nonstop pop show.