U.S. X Factor runner-ups to the runner-ups, not yet charming us quite like the U.K. X Factor runner-ups to the runner-ups…
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[3.43]
Katherine St Asaph: “You killed me but I survived / and now I’m coming alive.” What? Fifth Harmony tries for triumphant, moving on and filling stadiums, but sounds like they’re trying to move while carrying a stadium.
[2]
Alfred Soto: Boy, this is a producer’s idea of K-Pop?
[4]
Will Adams: They’re belting by the middle of the first verse. Is my generation going to be remembered as the one that blew out all of their vocal cords while trying to emulate Demi Lovato?
[3]
Jonathan Bogart: Their voices choked with gross performative overemotion, their backing track swelling with unearned catharsis, their fists clenched with the righteousness of their cause — I can’t hate this as much as I want to, because it’s not for me, and if anyone finds its clichéd assertions of self-worth and humdrum inspiration helpful in leaving relationships that don’t work, then it’s accomplished more than I ever will.
[4]
Daniel Montesinos-Donaghy: A plethora of gasping vocals open this before finding strength, a heavy-handed reading of the song’s post-relationship narrative (perhaps you are frightened by moving on but you will be stronger for it etc). More OTT dramatics would be preferable to the interchangeability of the performers here, tweaked and tucked until five become part of one. The unveiling of the chorus falls flat, aiming to coin an inspiring persona out of a joyous escape without much inspiration or joy or escapism. From gasping rebirth to dead’n’buried in under a minute: ouch.
[3]
Brad Shoup: The name implies some mythical configuration, but all I hear is the nice work done before the last chorus comes home. They’re going for broke, which to them means grand gulps and indignance. As a consequence, the “call me” part knocks the theme off its axis.
[5]
Mallory O’Donnell: People complain about pop by committee, but where else are you gonna get lyrics like “my innocence is wearin’ thin / but my heart is growin’ strong”? You need at least three or four writers involved to end up with stuff like that.
[3]