Doc Jazz is an artist with a sound that’s quite unique right now but that also pours through with a certain nostalgic warmth about it. From a distance the song “Friendzone” feels like a pop-dance classic, Doc Jazz’s voice and the instrumentation combined create a comforting ambiance initially that seems strangely familiar. However, as things progress, there’s a superbly distinctive set-up to the whole thing – the song evolves unpredictably, letting creativity and passion guide the way and re-write the script more than a few times over.
“Friendzone” is a song that has, by all accounts, something of a pop-dance twang about it – the story telling reinforces this as every line offers further descriptive details; painting a clearer and more interesting picture as things progress. The melodic development leans in a similar direction, the higher end start to each line precedes the lower resolve, giving the track the natural rhythm of pop-dance, without sacrificing any of its integrity or expression in simply attempting to satisfy a single genre. It works beautifully, the song becomes more enjoyable and quite fascinating, in terms of the writing, with each new listen.
Doc Jazz’s songwriting and indeed about the sound of his voice. The depth and the emotion, the delicacy and the grit, all work smoothly together to give the story-line a certain weight and authority that leaves you hanging on every moment.
Doc Jazz has done something unexpectedly effective with this release. For what initially feels like your classic, even slightly retro electronic and Dance crossover backing track, the whole thing later emerges and evolves into multiple other symbols of musical strength. The subject matter alone opens the door to a whole new world of ideas and enhances the mood and feel of the track with every new lyric. Then on top of everything you get this lightly infectious, quickly satisfying hook section – adding a flicker of memorable melody and a Dance-like vocal rhythm to the experience. The track is subtle but certain in its fusion of genres and in generally driving with an authentic approach to expression and a clear love for and connection to music.
Adding a final flicker of optimism and strength, Doc Jazz. alternates these melodically full moments with some spacious, instrumentally blessed ones – keeping you interested, and reinforcing the clear fact that a live performance would be an absolute joy to experience.
