When it comes to Sam, it’s obvious that he’s Pop, no not Country-Pop, not Pop-Country, just Pop. All you need to do is listen to his debut album, Montevallo, to solidify that fact. His latest song, “House Party”, only adds to this claim as another Pop song masquerading as a Country song.
And no, just because a song isn’t Country doesn’t mean it’s not good, but it’s not good for the Country format, which this song, along with all of his others, are being sent to. Even when you look at it as an actual song, this just isn’t good. The scratching noises throughout the song sound obnoxious, and the lyrics are worse than your average Country party tune. Seriously, what the hell is the point of this song? It’s about a girl who is texting a guy who decides to throw a party at her house for the heck of it since apparently the mood calls for it? Whoop de do. Not to mention how shouty Sam gets during the chorus of this song, it’s grating that’s for sure.
Look, I don’t WANT to hate on Sam. He might be a good Pop singer, I really wouldn’t know since it’s not a genre I choose to listen to. But as long as he keeps marketing this Pop stuff towards the Country market, I have to call it out appropriately like it is. Not that that matters however, this song just simply isn’t good no matter how you slice it.
Grade: F
Listen: “House Party”
Author: Zackary Kephart