In the Cookie Jar
Maroon 5 teamed up with Future for their latest foray, the smoothly groovy single “Cold.” While the video details lead singer Adam Levine’s venture down the looking glass via a tainted cocktail at a party, the track is anything but. Levine’s vocals are smooth with consistent hits of his trademark falsetto, while Future’s rap does not overpower the track, but much like the extra “something” in Levine’s drink in the video, only enhances it. This track is a definite tease to what could be a darker and somewhat edgier sound for Levine and the Maroon 5 boys, and if it is anything like “Cold” it could very well be an interesting new direction
Fellow Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo joins him on a sublime version of the classic “My Funny Valentine” and a man that inherited the role of “Lola” down the line from Porter, the dynamic Todrick Hall, joins on a raucous version of “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair”! LGBT Icon Deborah Cox joins Porter on “This Nearly Was Mine,” making us truly wonder how these two never sung a duet like this before; astoundingly beautiful! The ethereal India Arie joins on a simplistically wonderful version of “Carefully Taught” with Arie’s airy vocals matching perfectly with Porter’s infections on his own vocals. One of the most powerful tracks on the album is Porter’s version of “Edelweiss,” offering a simple presentation with minimal instrumentals, allowing us to enjoy the lush vocals that Porter melds with this iconic track.
Sheeran is still at his strongest when he is pulling at the proverbial heartstrings, and the bonus track “Save Myself” will do exactly that. Its power musically is only matched by the contest of the lyrics. Close your eyes and give this one several listens.
The soundtrack ventures between hopeful and uplifting tracks like “You Will Be Found” and “Waving Through a Window,” but the cast truly shines on the gut wrenching ballads. Tracks like “Words Fail” and “Only Us,” give more emotion than anything I have heard on Broadway in quite some time. Ben Platt, Rachel Bay Jones, and the rest of the Evan Hansen cast have made musical magic on stage, and in the studio for this beautifully structured and oh so important musical.
Top 10
from DJ Hot Tub
Visit him on soundcloud.com/dj_hot_tub
Instagram/twitter: @just_in_horn
- Spirix – Runaway (Ft. Xuitcasecity)
- Tchami – World To Me (Ft. MNEK)
- The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This
- Breathe Carolina & IZZI – Echo (Let Go) (Sam F Remix)
- 4B – Damn Daniel
- Mida – Believe
- Snakehips & MØ – Don’t Leave (Throttle Remix)
- Ghastly & Mija – Crank It (Ft. Lil Jon) (Jameston Thieves Remix)
- The Chainsmokers vs Bingo Players – Tom’s Closer (Rudeejay & Da Brozz Mash-Boot)
- SMiTHMUSiX – Summertime Fling (Ft. Alyshah)