David delivers his review of the Guy Sebastian ‘Part One EP, which features his latest single ‘Set In Stone’.
Will its six tracks fully satisfy him? Or will they leave him wanting more?
As a part of the Australian music scene for well over a decade now, Guy Sebastian has continued to create hits across the country.
Sure he hasn’t seen massive international success (he had a chance after placing fifth in 2015’s Eurovision), but here at auspOp, we’re still big fans.
Rather than release an album of mediocre songs for the Christmas rush, Guy has opted to put out an EP which begs the question… has he managed to bring us a small package of hits?
In short : no.
I can’t leave my review there, but I really struggled with this EP.
Dealing with “universal themes of love and celebrating the important things in life,” it seems that ‘Part One’ centres specifically around his relationship with his wife Jules. I’m not one to speculate, but lyrically it’s hard to not read between the lines. There must have been some challenges in the last 18 months between the two of them as the contents seem to say “I didn’t cheat on you!”
Asides from six songs of denying he’s had an affair (or that he loves his wife very much depending on which way you look at it) most of what’s on offer is fairly average.
I think it’s good that Guy has returned to more of the R&B sounds that suits his voice, but there’s nothing new or innovative here.
The only song that truly stands out is ‘Set In Stone’, which is hands down a stunner. Guy’s voice has never sounded better and its simplicity is a credit to not going crazy on production. The visual is quite a beautiful visual affair too which just adds to the power of the song. More of this please, sir!
2017 looks to be another big year for Guy.
With ‘X Factor’ widely rumoured to have been axed, he will have a chance to focus on his music and maybe that’s a good thing. I’m looking forward to what ‘Part Two’ brings us.
VERDICT : 3/5.
MUST LISTEN : Set In Stone, Home.
Australia's first stop for pop!
Will says
Thank goodness I’m not the only one who feels this way about this EP! He’s been releasing songs that I’ve found very difficult to relate to lyrically of late. The sound may be different for him but not that different in the grand scheme of things. The songs may be quite personal to him (good for him) but quite frankly, there’s better love songs out there (John Legend’s All of Me for starters…). And yes, songs about how much he loves his wife or how he didn’t cheat on his wife are just blah. And then, songs about being conscious or “I got my mind on you” ain’t exactly things that would make people flock to click on, let alone purchase, surely! I’m at a loss…
Marg Brown says
Wow David. Such a personal review. So because five of the songs are love songs(I myself don’t read the lyrics as denying he is having an affair, so I guess my reading comprehension is way lower than yours), it means he is having an affair. I say five because if you had bothered to listen to the lyrics of the 6th song Conscious you would discover it is actually about organised religion and the reasons he moved away from it.
I have no problems with you not liking the ep, as it is your absolute right to give your opinion in a review, whether as a professional reviewer for a major newspaper or as a reviewer on a small music blog such as this. But I personally believe you took a step too far. I think by “reading between the lines” and suggesting perhaps Guy is cheating on his wife, you are no better than the slimy tabloid which printed a photo of Guy harmlessly walking through a busy airport with his female tour manager, cropped to remove his male sound recordist who was walking with them, with headlines suggesting he was cheating on his wife.
I would suggest you stop reading between the lines and just review the music. Far more professional. I would also suggest after your nasty little gossip review you don’t ask Guy for an interview. If he has read this review I think he might refuse.
Zannah says
Each to his/her own. I absolutely love it and to me Set in Stone is the least interesting track – perhaps because it’s just another ballad, albeit a good one. Your comment that ‘it’s not hard to read between the lines, etc.’ … I’m guessing you read too many tabloids.