Mississauga crooner PARTYNEXTDOOR usually has a knack for making music meant to be turned up and repeated on impulse. That infectious quality is mostly missing, however, on his latest studio effort, Partymobile.
A talented songwriter, PND has proven his flair for ear-grabbing melodies and snappy, clever flows on previous efforts. Inexplicably, though, he trades these stellar qualities in for a more subdued, restrained approach on Partymobile. The result is a tedious project that not even superstar guests like Rihanna can save.
Labeling Partymobile a waste of time is a stretch. Lead single "LOYAL" (ft. Drake), and its Bad Bunny remix, become more irresistible with every listen. Sultry and catching, "PGT" offers a glimpse of PND's strengths — tight cadence and easy, repeatable melodies meant for singing along. "SPLIT DECISION" is the best of the album's darker, more brooding cuts. And "SAVAGE ANTHEM" sets honeyed vocals against acerbic, pearl-clutching douchebaggery — the delightful contradiction on which Party's brand is built.
Beyond these, though, there's a lot on Partymobile that simply comes and goes. A surprising turn for such a memorable artist.
(OVO Sound / Warner Bros.)A talented songwriter, PND has proven his flair for ear-grabbing melodies and snappy, clever flows on previous efforts. Inexplicably, though, he trades these stellar qualities in for a more subdued, restrained approach on Partymobile. The result is a tedious project that not even superstar guests like Rihanna can save.
Labeling Partymobile a waste of time is a stretch. Lead single "LOYAL" (ft. Drake), and its Bad Bunny remix, become more irresistible with every listen. Sultry and catching, "PGT" offers a glimpse of PND's strengths — tight cadence and easy, repeatable melodies meant for singing along. "SPLIT DECISION" is the best of the album's darker, more brooding cuts. And "SAVAGE ANTHEM" sets honeyed vocals against acerbic, pearl-clutching douchebaggery — the delightful contradiction on which Party's brand is built.
Beyond these, though, there's a lot on Partymobile that simply comes and goes. A surprising turn for such a memorable artist.
