Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
Severine: Not Obsessed

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Severine: Not Obsessed
Severine Photo Credit Todd Muchow
Photo Credit Todd Muchow
Fri Nov 10, 2017
Stephen Bailey

The imagination and depth of feeling that goes into realizing “Not Obsessed” make it much different than the average pop song. Severine’s single has the potential to break out in a big way commercially, but she takes no compromises to position the song in such a way. “Not Obsessed” comes off as an intensely personal lyrical and musical statement. Her youth is no impediment to projecting confidence and Severine’s vocal performance simmers with atmospherics and a satisfying emotional range. Severine was born in the United States initially, but her French-born parents soon decided to return to France and she grew up in an environment that promoted her musical development. The song’s subject matter isn’t necessarily remaking the wheel, but it’s equally impressive how Severine has established such a unique voice for speaking on familiar themes and subjects.

There certainly is a bit of cosmopolitan air surrounding “Not Obsessed”. Severine may be American born and has significant exposure to the culture, but her musical choices never go for the lowest common dominator school of musical composition defining so much of the pop music released by American artists. It is very accessible, nonetheless, and has considerable melodic value as well as hitting upon a soulful, atmospheric groove during much of the track. This is a song that never follows a straight line from opening to close – instead, Severine’s song winds through a variety of distinct passages and expertly handles segues from one to another. The drumming has a live sound and highlights one of the song’s unexpected strengths. Severine and producer/co-writer Anthony Gallo blend regular instruments so well with electronic musical touches that the distinctions between both are rendered relatively indistinct. It has a traditional and yet ultra-modern sound that will appeal to both young fans and any serious music lover. It’s pop with substance and spotlights a wonderfully talented vocalist.

The lyrics are adult-oriented and intelligently worded while still remaining general and comprehensible. If the song is ripped from the pages of Severine’s autobiography, she never diminishes the listener’s ability to relate to the material and conveys it with the sort of impassioned depth one might expect from someone who lived the experience. There are some obvious intelligence and subtlety at work with the hint of denial in the lyric’s payoff line and a big reason why Severine gets there is she never wastes a word in the writing of this song. The lyrics compliment the rising and falling of the arrangement, as well, without ever overreaching or obscuring the musical performance. Severine’s single “Not Obsessed” is a powerhouse outing that establishes her as one of the most promising figures on the modern pop music scene. Her forthcoming EP is likely every bit as much of a winner and is undoubtedly the first meaningful salvo in a career sure to last for many years to come.

www.severinemusic.com

Reviews
Album
Severine
Month: May 2022
Osaka Popstar Anime-Punk Rock Collective Osaka Popstar Reveal Animated Music Video…
Ranee Lee JUNO-Winning Vocalist Ranee Lee Honours Céline Dion with New Album…
Canadian Alt-Rockers Season Of The Senses Are “Ever”-Present With Release of New Single! Canadian Alt-Rockers Season Of The Senses Are “Ever”-Present With Release…
Powerhouse Canadian R&B Singer Simone Miller Reveals Heart-Wrenching New Rekease, “Older” Powerhouse Canadian R&B Singer Simone Miller Reveals Heart-…
Grunge Alt-Rocker Sivan Langer Reveals Electrifying New Rock Anthem in “Three Monkey Song” Grunge Alt-Rocker Sivan Langer Reveals Electrifying New Rock…
Son of James Release, “Mama Never Told Me” Against Alarming Rise of Asian-Canadian Hate Crimes Son of James Release, “Mama Never Told Me” Against Alarming Rise…
Philadelphia Pop Songstress Zula Palmer Instills Thoughtful Disquietude with Dark New Single, “Wife” Philadelphia Pop Songstress Zula Palmer Instills Thoughtful…
August, Yours Truly Unveils Hypnotizing New Spoken Word Single, “Easy Listening” August, Yours Truly Unveils Hypnotizing New Spoken Word Single, “…
Blues Diva Angelique Francis Lays Down the Law in Less Than Sixty Seconds with “Take Command” Blues Diva Angelique Francis Lays Down the Law in Less Than Sixty…
Coco Méliès Award-Winning Ensemble Coco Méliès Assure that “Remorse Will End”…
Alt-Folk Artist Jackie K Pays Tribute to the Healing Power of the Outdoors in New Single, “Green Heals Me” Alt-Folk Artist Jackie K Pays Tribute to the Healing Power of the…
Breakthrough Pop Artist Michael Graff Stashes Good Times In Nostalgic New Single, “History” Breakthrough Pop Artist Michael Graff Stashes Good Times In…
Tate Irving Tells an Up-Tempo Tale of Hardship & Growth in New Single, “She Said” Tate Irving Tells an Up-Tempo Tale of Hardship & Growth in New Single, “She…
Singer/Songwriter Duo Twisted Royalty Take Destiny by the Horn with Groovy New Song, “Unicorn” Singer/Songwriter Duo Twisted Royalty Take Destiny by the Horn…
Month: Jun 2022
Coheed and Cambria Rockers Coheed and Cambria Reveal New Track, “Comatose”

Pagination

  • First page « First
  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page 68
  • Page 69
  • Page 70
  • Page 71
  • Current page 72
  • Page 73
  • Page 74
  • Page 75
  • Page 76
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers