Dan + Shay were quietly on the road to winning me over with the singles from their sophomore album, Obsessed. Sure, it's undoubtedly pop-country, but as someone who doesn't hate the sub-genre like so many other writers do, I found past singles such as "From The Ground Up" and "How Not To". "Road Trippin'" had always been a mistake for the duo though. The choppy production did them no favors as they sang about a generic summer hookup. It showed too, seeing as how it was the duo's first single to miss the top forty entirely.
Therefore, it's not surprising to see their new single "Tequila" pivot back to the familiar, mid-tempo love song lane that they had established previously. Unfortunately, "Tequila" seems like a step back for the duo as far as quality goes.
The song begins with little more than a piano, and sonically the song feels more adult-contemporary than anything. Eventually the guitar kicks in before some spacier textures are added during the chorus. It builds up nicely, and I do have to admit it's well-executed, but it's also a little sleepy as well. The final strings added on towards the end and the dobro do help to give it some life. Put it this way though, the song will likely earn more points for Shay Mooney for turning in a convincing vocal performance.
Lyrically though, the song is reaching for a familiar theme without anything creative or original added to it. The song essentially revolves around this guy thinking about an old college flame when he drinks...tequila. Really it could be any drink because it hardly matters. The song does try to insert some more clever lines such as alluding to a trip to Colorado, but overall it just feels very average as far as establishing any emotional connection. It never really expands beyond a very basic idea. Tequila just happens to be the drink of choice that brings memories of her back to him, but why alcohol? Surely there are better, more original items that would remind you of this woman? Then again, the duo are trying to get back into the good graces of country radio, so I get it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Overall, "Tequila" is a sleepy (but still well produced), well sung song that only scratches the surface on a lyrical level. It's not a bad song, but the duo are capable of more.
Grade: C
Listen: "Tequila"
Author: Zackary Kephart
Therefore, it's not surprising to see their new single "Tequila" pivot back to the familiar, mid-tempo love song lane that they had established previously. Unfortunately, "Tequila" seems like a step back for the duo as far as quality goes.
The song begins with little more than a piano, and sonically the song feels more adult-contemporary than anything. Eventually the guitar kicks in before some spacier textures are added during the chorus. It builds up nicely, and I do have to admit it's well-executed, but it's also a little sleepy as well. The final strings added on towards the end and the dobro do help to give it some life. Put it this way though, the song will likely earn more points for Shay Mooney for turning in a convincing vocal performance.
Lyrically though, the song is reaching for a familiar theme without anything creative or original added to it. The song essentially revolves around this guy thinking about an old college flame when he drinks...tequila. Really it could be any drink because it hardly matters. The song does try to insert some more clever lines such as alluding to a trip to Colorado, but overall it just feels very average as far as establishing any emotional connection. It never really expands beyond a very basic idea. Tequila just happens to be the drink of choice that brings memories of her back to him, but why alcohol? Surely there are better, more original items that would remind you of this woman? Then again, the duo are trying to get back into the good graces of country radio, so I get it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Overall, "Tequila" is a sleepy (but still well produced), well sung song that only scratches the surface on a lyrical level. It's not a bad song, but the duo are capable of more.
Grade: C
Listen: "Tequila"
Author: Zackary Kephart