Over the years, I’ve found that Maroon 5 has an interesting effect on me, and their new album “Red Pill Blues” is no different.
I’ve been a fan of Maroon 5 since “Songs About Jane” came out when I listened to some of their music with my older sister. They were even my first concert in 2011. However, like all bands seem to do despite what got them into the industry in the first place, they changed their sound once they became more mainstream.
I practically boycotted “Overexposed” in 2012 for this very reason. Their sound changed too drastically for me and, in my humble opinion, became too canned and computer generated. Yet, I do have to admit that a few years later I downloaded some of the songs from that album.
“Red Pill Blues” is no different. The music’s sound has grown to be more and more techy, and this album’s tune is a cross between funky, R&B and pop music. Weird, huh? Not to mention the fact that they are keeping with current industry standards and repeating some phrases what feels like a million times.
Yet, despite this, and also in the case of past albums, a few of the songs have already grown on me. Outside of pre-released songs “Don’t Wanna Know,” “Cold” and “What Lovers Do,” here’s a list of five other songs that have played in my head:
1. “Best for You”
This is one of my favorites; it’s just catchy. It’s about a man who thinks that he’s no good for his partner, regardless of what they might think. Levine sings, “I just want the best for you/but I’m just not the best for you/you don’t want what I’m gonna put you through.”
2. “Help Me Out” featuring Julia Michaels
Julia Michaels teams up with the band in this track. The tune is about change and the change that can come with the influence of another person.
3. “Who I Am” featuring LunchMoney Lewis
This song is too sweet and sincere not to mention. The album has a mix of songs, but it’s obvious that a few songs, like this one, are for Levine’s wife, Behati Prinsloo. Levine sings, “Don’t ask me if I love you cause I’m sure as the day is long/This is who I am.”
4. “Whiskey”
“Whiskey” is a song about personal growth. The listener gets a little bit of piano, which is a nice break from the sonic mix. Levine sings about a relationship that wasn’t reciprocated and his recklessness that he let burn like whiskey.
5. “Plastic Rose”
This track lists things that one person genuinely put into a relationship that was returned with something fake like a plastic rose.
Altogether, this album was a bit much for me. I’m a little old fashioned and don’t like the direction the music industry is going in these days, but that’s just me. Regardless of that, there are some good tracks that are sure to become earworms.
Photo courtesy of Photopin.